Baltimore's Conduit System Takeover Sparks Concerns Over Rising Costs
Baltimore City is set to take control of its underground conduit system from Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) at the end of 2026. The city plans to modernize the aging infrastructure, which houses electrical, telecommunications, and fiber-optic cables. Currently, customers pay $2.20 per linear foot to use the system, but the city proposes nearly doubling this rate to cover inflation and operational costs. City leaders argue that the transition will improve safety and establish a new city-run operation. However, BGE warns that the proposed rate increase could lead to higher utility costs for customers.