Bill to sell PGW on hold for now

Mayor Michael Nutter has sent the framework of a bill to City Council to sell the Philadelphia Gas Works to UIL Holdings, a private utility. It hasn’t been introduced yet.

Mayor Michael Nutter sent a letter requesting a PGW bill be introduced. The mayor’s spokesman Mark McDonald says the letter is designed to get the ball rolling.

“City Council has really begun the process, they will do their due diligence to look at this matter, the proposed sale of PGW,” he said. “The administration is very encouraged by that.”

Council President Darrell Clarke sent a memo to his colleagues saying a provision in the proposed sale contract could mean the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would vote up or down on the deal before council completes its process, including hearing back from an independent consultant.

“City Council has established a process we have our consultant on board that consultant is from all accounts one of the most highly-regarded consultants in the country,” Clarke said. “We have already started that process and will review this proposal and as indicated review some of the other proposals that were submitted.”

UIL has the option to back out of the agreement if it’s not complete by mid-July.