Baltimore reaches agreement with BGE for conduit maintenance; proposal to go before spending board next week

Mayor Brandon Scott has finalized a proposed agreement with Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. for the company to take over maintenance of Baltimore’s conduit system. The agreement calls for BGE to pay for $134 million for capital improvements to the system over the next four years. The utility also would pay an “occupancy fee” of $1.5 million annually. The deal needs the approval of the Board of Estimates, which the Democratic mayor controls. Currently, Baltimore owns and pays to maintain the 700-mile conduit system that carries utility lines beneath the city through a series of terra cotta pipes. BGE, the system’s biggest user, occupies 76% of the system and pays the city rent for its use.