Acklin to join Peoples Gas

PWSA might be turned over to private control. Mr. Acklin said that he’d had no such discussions with SteelRiver, whose holdings appear to be in rail and gas utilities rather than water. City ethics rules bar former employees from lobbying for at least one year, and Mr Acklin noted that a “blueribbon panel” would be proposing future reforms of the agency.

“That could be anything from inviting potential investment partners or reinvesting in the infrastructure, but it will be an open and transparent process” requiring City Council approval.

Mr. Acklin will be sharing an employer with former Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who is now a top sales executive for the utility. Mr. Acklin ran a sharp-elbowed campaign against Mr. Ravenstahl in 2009, during which he alleged unseemly ties between the mayor and an ally, businessman John Verbanac. But on Thursday Mr. Acklin said “As I understand it, Luke is doing great work over there. I had no personal animosity. All that stuff is water under the bridge.”

Mr. Acklin said he will start the post in the first week of January.

Barry Kukovich, a spokesman for Peoples, said Mr. Acklin “understands economic development and that’s what we’re about. Over 50 percent of our customers are in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and his background makes him a great individual to work with us. We’re really invested in this community, and we think he’s a perfect person to help us move forward.”