DICKINSON (AP) - State health officials say a company building a coal-drying plant in southwestern North Dakota will install the best pollution controls available.

The state Health Department's air quality division held a hearing Tuesday on its proposal to grant an air quality permit to GTL Energy for its plant near South Heart. About 100 people attended and about a dozen testified.

Because the plant is being considered a minor source of emissions, it would be partially responsible for monitoring its own air quality, as other plants are, officials said.

"We wouldn't actually have continuous monitoring data on emissions," said Craig Thorstenson, environmental engineer with the Health Department's Air Quality Division.

"GTL will be installing the best controls available to control particulate matter emissions from the facility and will not combust solid fuel," Thorstenson said.

Four fabric filters that control coal dust emissions will be a part of the plant's operation and will remove 99 percent of the coal dust, Thorstenson said.

"With any control device, it's virtually impossible to remove 100 percent of emissions," he said.

Nancy Eberts, a South Heart resident representing Neighbors United, an area group opposing the plant, said the permit decision will have a long-term effect.

"I hope that you realize that your decision is going to affect today, it's going to affect tomorrow, next year and the following year," Eberts told health officials. "There's a school in South Heart and a playground in South Heart, and if there's dust and pollution going through the air, it's going to affect those kids."

Some asked about the connections between GTL Energy and Great Northern Power Development, a company that recently withdrew its permit request for a 275-acre mine near South Heart, but announced plans to seek permission for a larger mine later this year.

If a mine or gasification facility is proposed near the coal-drying plant, Thorstenson said, it would require more tests on potential emissions by all the facilities.

Dickinson resident Mary Hodell said her children go to South Heart School.

"As a mom I want to look out for my kids' health," Hodell said. "The wind blows every other direction and it's concerning. I hope you guys take a close look at this and don't allow anything in there that would hurt them."

The Health Department is taking public comments on the permit request until May 8. Officials say a final decision could come about a month later.