Print, Photographic

Photograph. Black and white photo of a self-unloading steamship that is moored at a dock. The aerial view shows the SS St. Clair of the American Steamship Company moored at the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal (SMET) dock in Superior, Wisconsin. Large coal piles, conveyors, petroleum tanks, and industrial buildings can be seen in the background. A typewritten note on the verso shows "Western Coal Link - The Superior Midwest Energy Terminal, a subsidiary of the Detroit Edison Company, spans 200 acres in Superior, Wisconsin, and is a transshipping center for low-sulfur coal from Montana. Coal brought 1,000 miles by train is either stored here or loaded onto lake vessels like the 'M/V St. Clair' (pictured) for the remaining 700-mile to Edison's St. Clair, Mich., power plant. Edison contracted for the coal because it meets environmental regulations while affording economic advantages over the traditional coal burned at St. Clair. Considering all aspects of the western coal movement, Edison analysts estimate that customers will save over $1 billion in fuel costs over the 26-year life of Edison's contract with the Decker, Montana, coal company. The view here of the SMET facility, which became operational in June, 1976, is looking south from St. Louis Bay. 9/20/76. Detroit Edison, Public Affairs Department, 2000 Second Avenue, Detroit. Michigan 48226. (313) 237-8850."