Philly Council introduces resolution instead of PGW sale

Philadelphia City Council has started reviewing the future of Philadelphia Gas Works, but a bill to sell the utility for $1.86 billion remains stalled. 

The Council resolution calls for a hearing on Philadelphia’s future as an energy hub but does not call for privatizing PGW.

Despite backlash from Mayor Michael Nutter and others, Council President Darrell Clarke said his resolve not to move forward the bill authorizing a sale to UIL Holdings Corp. has strengthened over the past few days.

“Our issue has always been to take advantage of the energy industry, and we anticipate that we will do that in short order,” he said Thursday.

Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez had said City Council should at least hold a hearing, but she is not introducing a bill to sell PGW.

“My concern is that any global company doing business would view this as us not being thoughtful and providing them with a forum for a public discussion,” she explained.

Clarke said he wants to hold the hearings as soon as possible.