Seems to me I remember something about Lake Express getting a state subsidy when they were starting up. I guess that was fair to them at the time, but now that the shoe is on the other foot it isn't any more...

NOW after all these years in office and with his political career in lame duck status, Hoekstra supports the Badger. Where was he when the EPA demanded the change...?

Y'know, the EPA isn't the bad guy here. They gave plenty of notice, and really folks, we've been lucky to operate this coal burner all these years with waivers from both states. It can't be good to keep pumping coal smoke into the air and dumping coal ash into one of the largest supplies of fresh water in the world. We've had a good run - now it's time to become good environmental stewards.

Good point, Snide; one must also ask where is his fiscal conservativism at when he wants the feds to spend $14 million on something the LMC only wants to pony up $2 million for at the start. The LMC money would be better spent trying to stop the implementation of ridiculous EPA dicta, and Hoekstra's remaining time would be better served by assisting them in doing so, not trying to convert a unique historical treasure into a diesel-engined scow.

I'm pleased to see Pete Hoekstra support the city's request for this grant. The conversion is hugely important to the environment. AND the carferry is crucial the the economy of Ludington.

So, John, the EPA can't make a arrest when TONS of garbage is dumped into Lake Michigan on two occasions since 2008, but coal ash(that the ferry service has done for decades)is a huge problem. Go down to Buttersville and tell the property owners that had to clean the trash generated in Milwaukee off their highly taxed beach front property with rubber gloves and trash bags that the EPA is looking out for them.

SAVE THE BADGER, EAT A DEMOCRAT!!

The Badger is an Historic Precious Piece of history not only for Ludington but the entire State. The last of a fleet of how many cole burners? It is wonderful that Pete Hoekstra is supporting this to provide a grant to keep the only (One Of A Kind) Car Ferry convert to diesel! My Uncle Mike worked on the Badger as did my cousin Skip and Uncle John worked on the Midland! How many of you can remember as a child looking at Lake Michigan and always seeing at least 3 car ferries! This is a Unique part of History and the ONLY ONE! Bravo and Thank You for keeping her going!

The American people have spoken loud and clear: They’ve told us ‘No more bailouts. Never again.’ - Pete Hoekstra, prepared statement in response to President Obama, May 10, 2010. ________________________________________________________ Manglitz is satisfied with LMC’s decision. “I think that we’ve always believed that the taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize a business,” he said. He does not foresee the Badger changing its engines, a $12 million investment, to do away with the coal-burning emissions. “I also don’t expect to see the million or so (older diesel) trucks changing over either. They go until eventually those trucks will get old and get retired. “At one time there were a lot of coal-burning vessels on the Great Lakes,” Manglitz said. “We’re the last one running.” Ludington Daily News (MI), August 22, 2003, Carferry refuses federal grant Pays for security upgrades on its own

I seriously doubt that it costs $14 million to swap engines. This deal smells very fishy. If this grant gets approved, the taxpayers will be getting fleeced.

I applaud the Badger for making the switch to a clean diesel engine. The Badger burns 1 ton of coal each way on its journey across lake Michigan, and then dumps all of its coal ash into our Great Lake. Its high time we move away from the ancient practice of burning dirty coal, which must be imported from out of state, and focus on a cleaner fuel source for the Badger. The switch to a clean diesel engine is costly, but luckily there is federal funding available through Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) dollars that can help fund this exciting new project.