Bill fails to help Badger

December 6, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC — Language that would have allowed the SS Badger to continue to dump coal ash into Lake Michigan was removed from a House of Representatives Coast Guard reauthorization bill. The bill, which already passed the Senate, moves on to the president.

Representative Bill Huizenga of Holland was one of the congressmen who added the language that would have allowed the Badger to operate indefinitely as it has for almost 60 years.

Currently, an Environmental Protection Agency deadline exempting the ship from dumping ash will happen at the end of the year. Lake Michigan Carferry, the Badger’s owner, has applied for an exemption.

The end of ferry service would mean the loss of millions of dollars into Mason County’s economy annually.

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