Insight on Business

July 2013

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insight on Economic By S ean Johns on development Steaming ahead SS Badger reaches agreement on coal ash, finds new business opportunities 36 | Insight • J u l y 2 013 c o u r t e s y o f SS B a d g e r , r o b a lway s , A lway s p h o t o g r a p h y T he old lady of Lake Michigan still has plenty of life left in her. The SS Badger, the last remaining steam ferry in operation in the U.S. and one of the oldest ships working the great lakes, will keep sailing between Manitowoc and Ludington, Mich. Owner Lake Michigan Carferry has until 2014 to install a system for properly disposing of the coal ash produced by the Badger's boilers, according to a consent decree LMC signed with the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. The consent decree will allow the Badger to keep operating while improvements are made, letting the ship lend a hand to one of Wisconsin's newest industries by hauling wind turbines and towers across the lake. "We've got loads going out almost daily," says Terri Brown, director of media relations for LMC. "The fuel and the miles saved are pretty tremendous." In 2012, the Badger's latest business venture resulted in more than 300 oversized wind tower loads, representing: » 25,000 tons of wind energy transported in 2012 » 150,000 driving miles saved » 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel saved Without the Badger, the towers would most likely be shipped by truck, which would mean loads of more than 150 feet long and weighing more than 150,000 pounds on already congested highways through A wind tower is transported via the SS Badger, which will be able to continue operation through an agreement between the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency and Lake Michigan Carferry. LMC has until 2014 to develop a system to dispose of the coal ash produced by the Badger. The ferry generates $45 million in revenue for Wisconsin and Michigan each season. Wisconsin and Illinois. The Badger has added this new cargo to daily trips across the lake ferrying cars, trucks and passengers between Manitowoc and Ludington. That service nearly came to a halt a few years ago when federal lawmakers pressed regulators on the issue of the Badger dumping coal ash into the lake during its crossings. The coal ash contains toxins and heavy metals that pollute the lake, federal officials said. The pending consent decree, which is still open for review and comment, gives LMC until the 2014 sailing season to install an ash retention system that will eliminate the need to dump the ash. Keeping the Badger sailing is more than just nostalgic – it is estimated the ferry service generates $45 million in economic activity for Wisconsin and Michigan during the season. About $14 million of that is in the Manitowoc area, according to estimates from LMC. w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m

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