The S.S. Badger photo by Royalbroil (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
The Ludington Daily News reports that the S.S. Badger carferry is expanding its operating season until Nov. 2 to transport wind tower parts.
That means the Badger will be moving parts for building clean alternative energy while under steam provided by a power plant criticized for polluting Lake Michigan.
The vessel is the last operational coal-fired steamship. It travels between Ludington Mich., and Manitowoc Wis., and is under fire for dumping coal ash into the lake.
No problem, said Joe Serwach, the spokesman for Save Our Great Lakes, an organization that wants the Badger to stop using outdated technology.
“We don’t oppose their season extending,” Serwach said. “Our goal is for them to stop dumping ash.”
Serwach said he hopes the additional funds from the extended season will be used to upgrade the ferry.
The wind tower parts industry supports helping the SS Badger with their business so the SS Badger can use the money to convert to cleaner fuel operation in the future. This is a win-win of two businesses helping each other for the future.