Follow-up on the Infamous Coal Plant PR Stunt

Additional info continue to emerge and it appears it's a PR stunt (as discussed in previous posts). Although we're sure many of the concerned residents, the alderman's office and general electric aren't happy, we applaud the creativity behind the PR stunt.

WBEZ has a good post and video:


And to be fair we received this from Midwest Generation:

Hi Sloopin,

Midwest Generation is a client of mine, so we noticed your two blog posts and resulting conversation in the comments today regarding the hoax.

Below is a statement from Midwest Generation:

A letter and pamphlet circulated in recent days to residents of the South Loop and a press release issued today claiming to be from Midwest Generation to announce construction of a power plant in the city are fake.

The materials also refer to a fake Midwest Generation website and twitter account, and have photos
and names of supposed Midwest Generation employees which are also fake. Those behind this hoax also misappropriated Midwest Generation's letterhead and logo.

None of these materials came from Midwest Generation, which owns six power plants and a wind farm in the state of Illinois. Midwest Generation is not building a new plant in the city of Chicago.

There also was a protest against the fake plant on April 27 near the intersection of Harrison and Wells.
It is unclear if the "protesters" were the perpetrators of the fraud or were duped by it.

Regards,

JAMES CHASE
Account Executive
Jasculca/Terman and Associates, Inc.

So there you have it. No coal coming to the South Loop. Take note of Pilsen's problems (and others). And life goes on...

(Hat tip: SC!)