SS Badger Still Hoping For Coal-Burning Extension

Operators of the SS Badger, the Great Lakes last coal-fired ferry that the US EPA is trying to wean off its dirty, ash-producing fuel, has been told its application for an extension is incomplete.

I've been following the issue - - and the Badger's daily dump of coal ash into Lake Michigan during the sailing season - - for years.

Here is the entire history from the EPA and a recent entry:

On July 18, 2012, EPA notified Lake Michigan Carferry that the permit application submitted on May 23, 2012 was incomplete, consistent with 40 C.F.R. § 124.3.  EPA identified that the application did not contain the five coal ash samples and two ambient lake water samples required by EPA in its letter dated February 24, 2012. 

EPA acknowledged that the company had submitted additional effluent samples that may address the deficiency identified in EPA’s letter, but that the effluent data could not be fully reviewed prior to the end of sixty day period set out in the regulations.  EPA will complete the effluent data review and then notify the company of its determination on the completeness of the application.