City and BGE Amend Conduit Agreement Amid Questions Over Control

Baltimore and BGE finalized an amendment to a decade-old conduit agreement on Jan. 6, 2026 that adjusts financial and operational responsibilities for the city-owned underground conduit network used to carry electric and fiber infrastructure. Under the amended terms, BGE will pay Baltimore $1.5 million annually for maintenance through at least Dec. 31, 2026, and commit to as much as roughly $120 million in capital improvements over the life of the agreement. The city retains legal ownership of the conduit system.

The amendment also reallocates liability, making BGE responsible for system failures that occur during its work. City officials and BGE characterize the changes as measures to stabilize and upgrade aging infrastructure, but the short-term maintenance payments and the structure of the capital commitments have drawn scrutiny from local leaders and residents.

Political pushback emerged quickly. City Council President Nick Mosby and other elected officials have demanded deeper fiscal and legal analysis and public hearings before the amendment is finalized. They warned that the terms could effectively cede operational control or pave the way for a future sale, a prospect voters rejected in the November 2025 election. Those concerns focus on accountability, oversight of long-term capital planning, and what financial obligations the city will retain if costs exceed the contractor commitments.

The agreement must still be approved by the Board of Estimates before it takes effect. That body will decide whether the amended terms adequately protect the city's interest in maintaining public oversight and ensuring reliable service for residents and businesses that depend on the conduit for power and broadband connectivity. Advocates for transparency have called for the board to release the full amendment text and supporting financial analyses so the public can evaluate projected costs, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms.

For Baltimore residents, the stakes include service reliability, future capital spending, and the question of who ultimately controls critical underground infrastructure. The conduit system spans roughly 700 miles beneath the city and supports utilities that are essential to daily life and economic activity. How the Board of Estimates evaluates liability clauses, maintenance funding, and the enforceability of the capital commitments will shape the conduit’s stewardship for years to come.

Next steps hinge on the Board of Estimates review and any additional council oversight or public input that follows. City officials will need to demonstrate how the amendment protects municipal ownership while ensuring upgrades proceed without exposing Baltimore to unforeseen fiscal risk.