SUN: Amtrak’s $6B Baltimore tunnel forces BGE to move power lines, sparking fight

A major infrastructure fight is brewing in Baltimore's Remington neighborhood, and it's one that will sound familiar to anyone who's researched EMF exposure before buying a home. Amtrak's $6 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel project is forcing BGE, the local utility, to relocate an underground transmission line that currently serves more than 46,000 customers. The catch: BGE wants to move that line above ground on a series of transmission towers rather than keep it buried.

According to BGE, engineers determined that going overhead is the only feasible option, citing a steep cost difference — $28 million for the overhead project versus $224 million to keep the line underground — plus the risk of delaying the tunnel project by years if the underground route is chosen.

Why Remington residents are pushing back

The Greater Remington Improvement Association isn't buying it. The group is asking BGE to revisit the underground option, arguing that overhead transmission towers could hurt property values, complicate future development in the neighborhood, and saddle residents with a permanent piece of infrastructure in a community that's already absorbed a lot of major construction over the years.

For health-conscious homebuyers, this story is a useful reminder of something worth checking before you fall in love with a listing: what's running near or under the property, and how it's routed. Overhead transmission towers are visible and easy to spot on a drive-by, but underground lines can be just as relevant to a buyer's peace of mind, even if they're less obvious. Either way, distance from the line generally matters most — EMF exposure drops off significantly as you move further from the source, whether it's buried or strung between towers.

What this means if you're house-hunting near power infrastructure

If you're evaluating a home near a transmission corridor — overhead or underground — it's worth asking local utilities about planned upgrades or reroutes, since projects like this one can change a neighborhood's infrastructure footprint for decades. It's also a good moment to think about what you can control inside your own home. Reducing your overall EMF load indoors — through choices like a low-EMF air purifier or a low-EMF hair dryer — won't offset a nearby transmission line, but it does help minimize unnecessary exposure from everyday appliances. For those in homes closer to existing power infrastructure, some readers also look into EMF shielding paint as an added layer of mitigation, though it's worth understanding what it can and can't actually do before investing.

For now, the Remington dispute is still playing out, and BGE's final routing decision could set a precedent for how future utility relocations near major infrastructure projects are handled in the city.

Originally reported by WBFF