Journal Sentinel Provides Long SS Badger/Coal Ash Story

The Journal Sentinel lays out many of the issues surrounding the SS Badger's coal ash dumping practices - - a Lake Michigan pollution issue covered repeatedly on this blog.

Back to 2009.

The coal-fired steamer's operator has delayed switching to a cleaner burning operation, and now risks its continuing service because a long-standing EPA order to cease the daily dumping of tons of coal ash is about to kick in.

The SS Badger is the last of the coal-burning ships on the Great Lakes; cleaner fuels, such as natural gas are available alternatives.

And coal ash can be contained on board, then disposed of on shore, too.

We'll know soon if the operator can win another extension.