Lake Michigan car ferry extends season

MANITOWOC (AP) -- The S.S. Badger is extending its season on Lake Michigan in order to transport equipment for the wind power industry.

The Lake Michigan Car Ferry says it's reached an agreement with General Electric to operate the Badger until Nov. 2 to transport 60 wind towers. The ferry has carried more than 300 wind tower loads between Manitowoc and Ludington, Mich., this year. Its season was previously scheduled to end Oct. 14.

Ludington Mayor John Henderson says the wind tower traffic between Wisconsin and Michigan shows the ferry is not only important to the tourism industry, but to the industrial economy as well.

The Badgers' permit that allows it to flush coal ash into Lake Michigan expires in December. Its operators are asking for more time to find an alternative to the coal ash dumping.