Time for the Coal Ash-Dumping Car Ferry to Play by Rules

Posted on November 8, 2011 by samweis

Image from Chicagotribune.com

After promising the EPA that it would find a solution and stop dumping hundreds of tons of toxic coal ash into Lake Michigan every year, the owners of the Badger car ferry are pulling out all of the stops, desperately trying to find an exemption from the Clean Water Act that will allow them to keep polluting.

This article in the Chicago Tribune highlights the Badger Owners’ attempts to have the aging vessel named a National Landmark, and this one in the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter illustrates the legislative maneuvers the owners are attempting to get an exemption from the Clean Water Act.

The Badger ferry has been polluting Lake Michigan long enough, and today Clean Wisconsin and several other environmental and wildlife groups took action to try to put a stop to this egregious act. Read more in the press release below:

Environmental and Wildlife Groups: Coal Ash-Dumping Car Ferry Should Play by Rules
Aging Badger car ferry dumps over 500 tons of toxic coal ash into Lake Michigan each year

MADISON – Environmental and wildlife groups are asking the U.S. Senate and the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board to take action to ensure that Badger car ferry owners are unsuccessful in efforts to circumvent the Clean Water Act in order to continue to dump hundreds of tons of coal ash into Lake Michigan every year.

“Lake Michigan is a national treasure that provides drinking water for 10 million people; the Badger car ferry should not be allowed to treat it like a landfill,” said Amber Meyer Smith, director of government relations at Clean Wisconsin. “Coal ash contains 24 known pollutants including mercury, arsenic and lead. Dumping it straight into Lake Michigan is an egregious act that must stop.”

Every year, the Badger car ferry dumps over 500 tons of coal ash into Lake Michigan on its trips between Manitowoc, Wis. and Ludington Mich. In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted the owners of the aging ship four years to find a solution that would keep coal ash out of Lake Michigan.

As the 2012 deadline draws near, the efforts of the Badger car ferry’s owners are focused on once again trying to circumvent the Clean Water Act instead of cleaning up the aging ship. Owners are asking the U.S. Park Service to declare the ship and its engines a National Landmark, and on Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment that would exempt the ferry from the Clean Water Act for the life of the vessel. If the ship is either declared a National Landmark or if the House amendment is enacted, the Badger car ferry will be allowed to continue dumping toxic coal ash into Lake Michigan.

“There is no reason the Badger car ferry should be permitted to dump toxic coal ash into Lake Michigan when the rest of the Great Lakes fleet has cleaned up its act,” said George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “Every year thousands of anglers fish Lake Michigan, infusing millions of dollars into our economy. By dumping hundreds of tons of toxic coal ash into Lake Michigan every year, the Badger car ferry is jeopardizing a national treasure, a Wisconsin tradition and a multimillion-dollar industry.”

In a letter addressed to the Landmarks Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board today, 14 environmental and wildlife organizations ask the board to delay a decision on the Badger car ferry owners’ request to designate the vessel a National Landmark until the agency has the opportunity to consult with the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“This decision should not be taken lightly when the health of Lake Michigan is at stake,” said George Meyer. “Lake Michigan deserves special protections, not the Badger car ferry. I urge the Landmarks Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board and our Senators in Washington D.C. to take action and make sure that the Badger car ferry is required to play by the rules.”

A copy of the letter sent to the Landmarks Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board is available at:
http://cleanwisconsin.org/index.php?module=cms&page=499

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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. 608-251-7020, information@cleanwisconsin.org, www.cleanwisconsin.org.

-Contributed by Sam Weis, Communications Director

Legislators propose to fully restore recycling funds

Posted on August 25, 2011 by samweis

Today, Senator Chris Larson and Representative Mark Pocan began circulating legislation that would fully restore funding to the state recycling program. Recycling is something that all Wisconsinites can stand behind, and Clean Wisconsin is proud to endorse this legislation.

For more information, check out the press release issued this morning:

LEGISLATORS PROPOSE RECYCLING FUND RESTORATION ACT

Madison – State Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and State Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) circulated a bill today amongst their colleagues that would reverse Republican cuts to the recycling fund that resulted from passage of the current state budget.

“Protecting our environment through responsible recycling programs not only protects our natural resources, but it’s good for business and good for our economy,” said Pocan. “When we weaken recycling programs by raiding their funding, what does that say to families trying to teach their kids about protecting the environment?”

The Recycling Fund Restoration Act would direct $26 million in additional funds to the recycling fund, which is exactly what was cut from the fund.

“The recent reduction in funding for recycling programs in the state amounts to an endorsement of overflowing and unsustainable landfills,” said Larson. “This bill will encourage responsible long-term management of waste in Wisconsin, and the benefits from this effort will be felt for generations.”

When Governor Scott Walker originally released his biennial budget, he eliminated the requirement that local governments operate recycling programs, which has been law in Wisconsin for over two decades. He also raided the recycling fund and gave the money to the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The ensuing budget debate saw bipartisan support for the program. Ultimately, the recycling requirement was reinstated, but Republicans raided $26 million from the fund.

“Even though Governor Walker’s plan to eliminate funding for recycling was rejected, this reduced funding will still result in major cuts to services or higher fees for citizens,” said Amber Meyer Smith, Director of Government Relations for Clean Wisconsin, who is endorsing the bill. “As legislators shift to focus on ideas with bipartisan support, there is no better place to start than the popular recycling fund.”

The bill was circulated for co-sponsors today. Legislators have until September 7 to sign onto the bill. Clean Wisconsin is the oldest and largest state group dedicated to protecting Wisconsin’s environment.

END

-Contributed by Sam Weis, communications director.

Wisconsin Budget Update

Posted on June 7, 2011 by samweis

After weeks of updates and cuts, the Joint Finance Committee has now completed its review of the biennial budget bill. Next, the budget bill heads to both houses of the legislature for action, which is expected over the next couple weeks.

Wondering how the budget will effect Wisconsin’s environment? Here is a quick summary of what has happened so far:

Recycling: The program was partially restored. We are pleased to see the requirement for local communities to offer recycling programs was restored, but funding was only partially restored at about 60%. This is still a 40% cut, which will result in communities making cuts to their services, or charging fees to make up for the lost revenue.

Phosphorus: The Committee removed a provision that would have delayed the implementation of Wisconsin’s phosphorus rule by two years. Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) was instrumental in deleting this provision.

Polluted Runoff: In a surprise move, the Committee had voted earlier to eliminate all of Wisconsin’s polluted runoff rules, one of the cornerstones of water protection. After intense public outcry, they revisited their action and voted to restore most of the rules.

Focus on Energy: Funding for this incredibly cost-effective energy conservation fund that saves ratepayers money on their energy bills was rolled back. We were very disappointed in this partisan vote which will ultimately raise electricity bills. There is still time to submit a letter to the editor to your local paper to highlight the importance of the Focus on Energy program. Click here to learn more.

Stewardship: Funding for this program, which protects precious lands and open spaces for generations, was reduced, but they also removed the poison pills included in the Governor’s budget that would have made purchasing land all but impossible.

Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (PACE): While commitments to farmers that had already been approved for 2011 were honored, no future funding was granted for this program that keeps agricultural land in production.

Contributed by Amber Meyer Smith, director of programs and government relations.