Ferry Allowed to Dump Tons of Coal Ash in Lake

Product: CTBroadsheet PubDate: 10-02-2011 Zone: ALL Edition: SHD Page: MAINCOV-1 User: croyer Time: 10-01-2011 23:46 Color: CMYK

SPECIAL THE BEST CHICAGO HIRING & WORST REPORT NEW TV Find out where the jobs are Left: Zooey Deschanel of ‘New Girl’; above: Rachael Taylor, Business, Pages 8-9 SHOWS A+E Minka Kelly and Annie Ilonzeh of ‘Charlie’s Angels’

D Final

Q ? C 1-800-T Sunday B . O 2, 2011 Family shattered after raid, Ferry allowed to dump eviction A n emergency order to vacate was issued. tons of coal ash in lake And just like that, out of the blue of a summer morning, the Harrises had lost their Officials seeking reprieve for steamship cite jobs, tourism dollars home and what they had thought was their good standing among their neighbors. “I never seen so much hate build up in one minute,” R.J. Harris says. “For what?” Mary Schmich, Page 4

CIA strike on U.S. citizens in Yemen stirs legal debate Did the United States have the right to kill Anwar al-Awlaki, the cleric who was among two American citizens slain in a CIA-led drone attack Friday in Yemen? Human rights advocates and legal schol- ars are divided, with the answer hinging on whether the war against al-Qaida is defined as an armed con- flict or an international police action. Page 29

DENISE STOCKER/PHOTO FOR THE TRIBUNE The coal-powered SS Badger pulls out of Ludington, Mich., as it heads on its four-hour trip across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wis.

Groupon’s IPO By Michael Hawthorne TRIBUNE WATCHDOG Decades into efforts to clean up Tribune reporter the world’s largest source of fresh push a tricky ton, Mich., the Badger dumps surface water, the Badger’s routine balancing act MANITOWOC, Wis. — Built in nearly 4 tons of coal ash into Lake dumping is so unusual that, in 2008, 509 the 1950s for the brawny task of Michigan — waste concentrated the U.S. Environmental Protection It’s not easy going public. ferrying railroad cars, the last coal- with arsenic, lead, mercury and Agency gave its owners four years to The number of Since Groupon Inc. stated burning steamship on the Great other toxic metals. During its find a solution. At the time, they tons of coal ash its intentions, it has had to Lakes is billed today as a nostalgic spring-to-fall season, federal re- vowed to either overhaul the aging the SS Badger explain, and then down- vacation shortcut between Wiscon- cords show, the amount far exceeds coal burner or store the ash for safe releases into play, part of its accounting sin and Michigan. the coal, iron and limestone waste disposal onshore. methodology. It had to ask But every day it sails between this jettisoned by all 125 other big ships Lake Michigan potential investors to dis- old shipbuilding port and Luding- on the Great Lakes combined. Please turn to Page 17 each year count some boastful projec- tions. A top executive left after five months. Rookie mistakes or indicative of bigger issues with its man- agement team? Business T avi’s stylish star is growing brighter Illini rally stuns With new website, her mouth. her online magazine for style blog penned from her The 15-year-old had en- teenage girls, which already suburban bedroom and a Northwestern teen is as Sassy as dured a grueling month, has generated millions of penchant for eccentric out- Illinois capped its come- she wants to be and not just because of the page views, close to fits, once likened to the look back in the final seconds to launch of her sophomore 600,000 unique visits and of a grandmother on Ec- beat the Wildcats 38-35 and By Megan Twohey year of high school, with its multiple advertisers since stasy. remain undefeated at 5-0. Tribune reporter demanding class schedule, going live on Labor Day. When she started ap- awkward homecoming The publication — and its pearing in the front row of BEARS-PANTHERS: Ron Tavi Gevinson wasted no dance and other adolescent immediate popularity — Fashion Week and rubbing Rivera’s homecoming puts STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE time on the massive slice of pressures. marks a major turning point shoulders with Gwen Stef- pressure on Lovie Smith, Tavi Gevinson, 15, has chocolate cake with marsh- A small girl with big for the Oak Park teen who ani and other stars, naysay- David Haugh writes. won the attention of big mallow and ice cream mak- ambition, she also had sur- burst onto the international Chicago Sports shots and ordinary girls. ing its way from her fork to vived the launch of Rookie, fashion scene in 2009 with a Please turn to Page 12

Chicago Weather Center: Complete $1.99 city and suburbs, $3.00 elsewhere Tom Skilling’s forecast High 67 Low 42 forecast in Nation & World, Page 39 165th year No. 275 © Chicago Tribune

GROCERIES FRESH FROM

Find delicious savings at Target.com/coupons.

©2011 Target Brands, Inc. Target and the Bullseye Design are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. All rights reserved.101101 Product: CTBroadsheet PubDate: 10-02-2011 Zone: ALL Edition: SHD Page: MAIN1-17 User: grejohnson Time: 10-01-2011 21:11 Color: CMYK

B Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, October 2, 2011 17 Ferry allowed to dump tons of coal ash in lake Now the only Continued from Page 1 thing that could The SS Badger Ferry route Ludington As the last season before Built: 1952 Manitowoc the EPA’s deadline comes to Length: 410 feet, 6 inches MICH. hold you back an end, the owners instead WI SS are seeking an exemption Height: 106 feet, 9 inches Badger from the federal Clean Wa- Weight: 6,650 tons ter Act that would delay a Milwaukee is cold feet. fix until at least 2017. displacement By then, the Badger’s Propellers: Two cast Lake owners and backers say, the steel, 4-blade propellers, Michigan 410-foot ferry might be fu- 13 feet 10 inches in IL eled by cleaner-burning diameter natural gas, a first for a U.S. Chicago ship that big. They say such Engines: Two Skinner IN Miles 40 Unaflow four-cylinder an upgrade would eliminate SOURCE: Lake Michigan Carferry steam engines rated at the ship’s noxious coal TRIBUNE smoke and murky dis- 3,500 horsepower each charges, making it the (7,000 horsepower total) study that estimated the “greenest” commercial ves- Boilers: Four coal-burning ship draws about $35 mil- sel on the Great Lakes. lion a year to both commu- If the EPA allows the ash Average speed: 18 miles nities. dumping to continue, it will per hour (15.6 knots) Local businesses have be the Badger’s latest pass Crew: About 60 chipped in to raise aware- from environmental laws ness about the debate. In that other ships, including a Capacity: 600 passen- Ludington, the Jamesport gers and 180 vehicles competing car ferry that Brewing Co. started serving SM runs between Milwaukee Crossings: About 450 Badger Brown ale during FirstMerit Reality Gold Savings and Muskegon, Mich., have between late May and the summer at its down- complied with for years. early October town pub, with a dollar * To buy more time for the from every pint sold do- % Badger’s two massive steam Crossing time: Four nated to the S.O.S. Badger APY engines, supporters have hours over 60 miles campaign. . organized a public relations “I tell people it’s like one 090 campaign that casts the ship of our factories: The Badger Bank with as a small-town operation SHARE means jobs and economic wherever, whenever struggling to preserve a THIS STORY development,” said Mani- mobile banking, online banking, ATMs and more. maritime icon. They por- chicagotribune.com/ towoc Mayor Justin Nick- tray the EPA as overzealous coalferry els. “The owners are trying bureaucrats threatening to convert to something 250 full-time and seasonal cleaner, but it’s not some- jobs and millions of tourism snacks, show movies and thing that can happen over- For more information, call 1-888-554-4362 dollars in two Midwest cit- organize bingo games. night.” or visit ﬁrstmerit.com/savings ies hit hard by manufactur- Many passengers read However, questions re- ing plant closings and cut- books on the ferry’s glass- main about the proposed backs. enclosed aft deck amid the new fuel source, as natural Local officials in Mani- dull rumble of its 7,000- gas traditionally hasn’t been towoc and Ludington also horsepower engines. used to power ships. And are tapping into Republican “I would hate to lose the critics say the Badger’s efforts in Congress to scut- convenience of travel and owners already have had tle environmental regula- the thrill of days gone by,” plenty of time to fix its tions as they lobby lawmak- said Barbara Bennett, a re- pollution problems. ers to secure another retired autoworker who lives “All of the other ferries prieve for the Badger. part time in Ludington. “It’s and ships that ply the Great “The EPA should pick on a piece of history, but they Lakes have found ways to bigger fish than this,” said should make it a cleaner comply with our modern PERSONAL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL WEALTH Ludington Mayor John ship.” environmental laws,” said Henderson. “There are a lot The Badger’s pollution is Lyman Welch, water quality of other environmental is- a byproduct of technology program manager for the *The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for Reality Gold Savings is accurate as of September 1, 2011. A $10,000 minimum opening deposit sues that deserve more at- that already was becoming Alliance for the Great is required. The rate is a variable rate and is based on the daily balance in the account. The rates may change after the account is tention than a historic ferry obsolete when the ferry was Lakes. “This is a glaring opened. The daily balance and corresponding APY paid on the entire balance are as follows: Less than $10,000, 0.90%; that happens to dump a few built. By the time it started exception.” $10,000 – $24,999.99, 0.90%; $25,000 – $49,999.99, 0.90%; $50,000 – $99,999.99, 0.90%; $100,000 – $249,999.99, 0.90%; $250,000 – $499,999.99, 0.90%. If your daily balance is $500,000 or more, the APY paid on the entire balance in your account will be pounds of ash into the lake.” carrying freight cars for the 0.65%. The rate is available in IL only. Must have a FirstMerit Reality Gold or Reality Platinum Checking account to open a Reality Gold Based on the Badger’s Chesapeake and Ohio Rail- [email protected] Savings account and must maintain the checking account to waive the $15 Reality Gold Savings account monthly maintenance fee. 134-day operating schedule, way in 1953, dozens of other Twitter @scribeguy Fees may reduce earnings on this account. Member FDIC the ship discharges about coal-burning ships were be- 509 tons of coal ash into the ing retired or converted to water each year. By con- cleaner-burning diesel fuel. trast, freighters that ply all Newspaper clippings five Great Lakes collectively dating to the mid-1960s dump about 89 tons of coal, show the Badger’s air and limestone and iron waste water pollution became a into the lake annually, ac- festering problem well be- cording to Coast Guard re- fore the current anti-EPA cords. fervor in Washington. COLUMBUSDAYSALE Coal ash pollution drew People frequently com- national attention in 2008 plained about coal smoke after a holding pond rup- wafting into Manitowoc FRI-MON,OCT7-10 tured at a Kingston, Tenn., and Ludington and “black, power plant and fouled an viscous liquid” being dis- Ohio River tributary. Since charged into the water. Gay- then, the EPA has been lord Nelson, the late Wis- mulling more stringent consin senator who rules to ensure safe disposal founded Earth Day in 1970, of the toxic waste, which pushed to eliminate ship the agency says poses “sig- pollution on the lakes, fo- nificant public health con- cusing his efforts in part on cerns.” the Badger. A spokeswoman in the When the C&O moved to EPA’s Chicago office said abandon its Lake Michigan the agency has been dis- ferries in the late 1970s, cussing a new permit with railroad officials testified the Badger’s owners. No that traffic had declined so decisions have been made. much that the operations no Officials with the Lake longer were profitable. Michigan Car Ferry Service, Moreover, they said, coal the company that owns the smoke from the ships vio- Badger, declined to be inter- lated federal and state air viewed but said in an email quality laws and the com- response to questions that pany had decided it would they had spent $250,000 cost too much to install studying ways to comply pollution controls. with the Clean Water Act. Investors who saved the “We wish every element Badger from the scrap yard of our lives could be totally in the 1980s won special green,” the company wrote exemptions from Michigan SHOP BRILLIANTLY. FEATURINGANNTAYLORFACTORYSTORE,BANANAREPUBLIC in one of its newsletters. and Wisconsin air quality “There are no off-the-shelf laws that kept the ferry’s FACTORYSTORE,BCBGMAXAZRIA,ELIETAHARI,GIORGIOARMANI,J.CREW,JUICY solutions, and the EPA rec- coal smoke legal while ognized that there was no other polluters cleaned up. COUTURE,LACOSTE,LOFTOUTLET. THREEAREALOCATIONS. MICHAELKORS,NAUTICA, practical way to eliminate The current owners later * the discharge immediately.” rejected state aid to convert NIKE,TAGHEUER,THEORY,TOMMYHILFIGER,TRUERELIGION,VERABRADLEY ANDMORE. In other public statements, the Badger to diesel, telling *STORES VARY PER CENTER. company officials have said the Ludington Daily News the ship’s coal ash is “as in 2001 that they wanted to harmless as sand.” run the business “without “Finding a safe, feasible governmental assistance.” and environmentally- More recently, the Bad- friendly option with natural ger’s owners have been gas is very important to our competing with the diesel- company,” Lynda Matson, powered Lake Express ferry the Badger’s vice president for business and govern- for customer service and ment help. The Badger op- marketing, said in a recent posed $17.5 million in fed- update posted on the SS eral loan guarantees that LEGENDARYBRANDS.ABUNDANTSELECTION.REALSAVINGS. Badger website. kick-started the Milwau- Two things stand out kee-to-Muskegon service in Join our VIP Shopper Club to enjoy additional savings at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip when riding on the Badger: 2004; last year, the Lake It is considerably larger Express lobbied against a CHICAGOPREMIUMOUTLETS than other passenger ships $14 million federal stimulus AURORA, IL • 120 STORES • I-88 TOLLWAY, EXIT FARNSWORTH AVE., NORTH on Lake Michigan — on a grant the Badger sought MON-SAT 10-9, SUN 10-6 recent afternoon one vehi- unsuccessfully to covert the LIGHTHOUSEPLACEPREMIUMOUTLETS cle on board was a wide- older ship to diesel. MICHIGAN CITY, IN • 120 STORES • I-94, EXIT 34B OR 80/90 TOLL ROAD, EXIT 39 TO 6TH & WABASH load tractor-trailer carrying The Badger’s supporters MON-SAT 9-9, SUN 10-6 silo-sized tanks for Bell’s suggest the latest plan to PLEASANTPRAIRIEPREMIUMOUTLETS Brewery in Kalamazoo, convert to natural gas is the PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI • 90 STORES • I-94, EXIT 347 • MON-SAT 10-9, SUN 10-7 Mich. — and its thick, black only way to preserve the smoke is full of ash flakes ferry’s role in promoting ALSOVISITHUNTLEYOUTLETCENTER,HUNTLEY,IL that settle on the deck. tourism around Manitowoc PREMIUMOUTLETS.COM During the four-hour and Ludington. Company cruise, crew members sell officials commissioned a