Philly mayoral candidates assess demise of PGW deal

Some of Philadelphia’s mayoral candidates are criticizing Mayor Michael Nutter and City Council over the failed deal with the Connecticut company that had offered to buy Philadelphia Gas Works for nearly $2 billion.

UIL Holdings withdrew its bid last week.

Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham said Nutter, who was unable to convince a single member of Council to introduce legislation to sell PGW, failed to engage lawmakers.

“The signal that city leadership sent to the business community in the region and throughout the nation is a toxic one, and that is that Philadelphia is not open for business,” she said. “The people of this city deserve better.”

Terry Gillen, a former aide to Nutter, chastised Council for declining to hold hearings on UIL’s proposal.

“It’s a shame that City Council didn’t hold hearings because we want to send a message to companies around the world that we’re open to new ideas and this won’t help,” she said.

Former city solicitor Ken Trujillo also said Council should have held hearings on the deal. State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said the city’s political process must appear less antagonistic in order to attract business to Philadelphia.