In The News

EPA Intends to Propose Permit Decision On Coal-Powered Car Ferry by March 2013

By Anthony Adragna | December 19, 2012

(BNA) - The Environmental Protection Agency said it intends to make a decision by March 1, 2013, on whether to extend a Clean Water Act permit for one of the last remaining coal-powered car ferries in the United States to continue discharging coal ash into Lake Michigan.

EPA said it has received more than 6,000 emails and letters from the public on the S.S. Badger's discharge permit application. The ferry's previous permit expired Dec. 19.

In May, the S.S. Badger asked for an individual five-year National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the large steamship that would allow it to continue to dump up to four tons of coal ash each day during the summer sailing season. EPA accepted the permit application as complete in August after requesting more information about the ferry.

The agency said it “anticipates proposing a decision on the permit application by March 1” and will seek public comment before making a final permit decision.

The Badger carries cars and passengers between Ludington, Mich., and Manitowoc, Wis., and has been allowed to dump its coal ash into Lake Michigan.

Democrats have opposed a new permit on grounds that it could endanger public health and the local environment. Republican leaders, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, urged EPA to extend the existing permit so the ferry can have more time to convert to non-coal power (210 DER A-16, 10/31/12).

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) vowed in March to “actively oppose” the ferry's discharge permit application (57 DER A-23, 3/26/12).

After pressure from Durbin, federal lawmakers Dec. 5 eliminated a provision in the House version of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act that would have exempted the ferry from regulation due to its historic status.

Michigan Lawmaker Disappointed

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) expressed disappointment EPA had not issued a draft permit decision by the Dec. 19 expiration of the current permit but remained optimistic the agency would allow the ferry to continue operations.

“I remain hopeful that the EPA will rule in favor of Lake Michigan Carferry, the cities of Ludington and Manitowoc and the thousands of people and companies that travel and transport goods on the Badger every year,” Huizenga said in a statement.

“The Badger not only has a significant economic impact on Ludington through job creation and tourism; it also has a considerable economic impact on the state of Michigan as a whole,” the statement said.

Durbin was not available for comment.