Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore has proposed increasing the conduit franchise fee for BGE and other companies using the city's underground system. This proposal comes after a review of the current fees, which are set to increase by about 84%. [1] The move aims to address concerns over aging infrastructure in the city.
The new fee is part of Mayor Scott’s broader efforts to improve public services and ensure that the city can maintain its essential utilities. However, BGE has expressed concern that this will ultimately be passed on to customers, leading to increased costs for residents and businesses. [4] The utility argues that it cannot afford to absorb these additional expenses without passing them onto consumers.
In a statement, Mayor Scott defended his proposal, stating that the increase is necessary to protect the city's infrastructure from further deterioration. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the underground conduits used by BGE for delivering electricity and other services. [3] The Baltimore Sun reported that this move aligns with previous statements made by the mayor regarding the need to address aging systems.
Despite some initial resistance, including concerns about increased costs for customers, the proposal has gained traction in city council meetings. Some members of the council have expressed support for the measure, seeing it as a necessary step towards safeguarding public utilities. [2] The situation highlights ongoing debates within the city government regarding how to balance infrastructure improvements with cost considerations for residents and businesses.