Regulatory & Financial Landscape¶
Multi-Agency Jurisdiction — With a Once-in-a-Generation Rebuild¶
The Port of Baltimore operates under Maryland state jurisdiction, with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) as the primary state environmental regulator and EPA Region 3 providing federal oversight. The Key Bridge collapse and rebuild, CSX Howard Street Tunnel reconstruction, and MPA Clean Air Strategy create a unique convergence of infrastructure investment and potential health intervention.
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Data Sources¶
| Source | Publisher | Data Provided | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Port Administration | MPA | Port statistics, Clean Air Strategy, Clean Ports grant applications | mpa.maryland.gov |
| Maryland Dept of Environment | MDE | Air quality permits, monitoring, enforcement | mde.maryland.gov |
| EPA Region 3 | EPA | Federal air quality oversight, EJScreen, TRI, grants | epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-3-mid-atlantic |
| USACE Baltimore District | USACE | Navigation channel maintenance, harbor permits | nab.usace.army.mil |
| USCG Sector Maryland-NCR | USCG | Vessel inspections, marine safety | uscg.mil |
Regulatory Map¶
Federal Agencies¶
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Port Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Region 3 | Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA | Air permits oversight, EJScreen, TRI reporting, Clean Ports funding |
| USACE Baltimore District | Rivers & Harbors Act, CWA §404 | Navigation channel maintenance, harbor construction, Key Bridge debris removal |
| USCG Sector Maryland-NCR | Ports & Waterways Safety | Vessel inspections, marine casualties, Key Bridge incident response |
State Agencies — Maryland¶
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MDE (Maryland Dept of Environment) | State air quality, water quality, hazardous waste | Primary state environmental regulator; regulatory authority for at-berth adoption |
| Maryland Port Administration | Port operations, terminal management | Clean Air Strategy and Energy Resiliency Plan; Clean Ports grant applicant |
The Regulatory Gap¶
California's CARB At-Berth Regulation has been in effect since 2014 and was strengthened in 2020. In October 2023, the EPA authorized California's regulation under the Clean Air Act, which legally enables other states to adopt the identical standard. Maryland has not adopted at-berth vessel controls.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has regulatory authority over air quality, and the Maryland Port Administration has developed a Clean Air Strategy and Energy Resiliency Plan. The plan includes a framework for addressing emissions from MPA activities, contractors, and tenants, including an expanded emissions inventory. However, this framework has not yet produced mandatory at-berth requirements.
MPA Clean Air Strategy¶
The Maryland Port Administration's Clean Air Strategy includes:
- Framework for addressing emissions from MPA activities, contractors, and tenants
- Plans for a comprehensive emissions inventory (vessels, trucks, and rail) — not yet published
- Clean Ports Program funding applications for zero-emissions port equipment
- Energy resiliency planning
Key Bridge Rebuild — $4.3–5.2 Billion¶
The March 26, 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge killed six workers and closed the port's main shipping channel for 11 weeks. The rebuilding effort is projected to cost $4.3–5.2 billion with completion by 2030.
The port's rapid recovery — clearing 50,000 tons of debris and reopening the Fort McHenry channel by June 12 — demonstrated the resilience of Baltimore's maritime workforce. The rebuild is an opportunity to invest not just in infrastructure, but in the health of port communities.
CSX Howard Street Tunnel — 2026 Completion¶
The CSX Howard Street Tunnel reconstruction, expected in 2026, will enable double-stack rail service that could shift 160,000 containers annually from trucks to rail — reducing drayage emissions but leaving at-berth vessel emissions unaddressed.
Pathways to At-Berth Emissions Reduction¶
1. State Adoption of CARB-Equivalent Regulation¶
Maryland could adopt California's at-berth standard under the EPA authorization. MDE has the regulatory authority.
2. MPA Voluntary Commitment¶
The Maryland Port Administration could require at-berth controls as a condition of terminal leases at Dundalk and Seagirt.
3. Key Bridge Rebuilding Integration¶
The $4.3–5.2 billion Key Bridge replacement project could include at-berth emissions controls as a community benefit commitment.
4. Federal EPA Clean Ports Funding¶
MPA has applied for Clean Ports Program funding for zero-emissions port equipment — at-berth capture could complement these investments.
5. Curtis Bay Community Advocacy¶
The Community of Curtis Bay Association and Environmental Integrity Project have been active on industrial pollution for over a decade — creating political momentum for regulatory action.
6. Carbon Credit Incentives¶
Voluntary carbon market frameworks currently under development could provide revenue to fund capture deployment.
Port Recovery Context¶
The port set a new record with 2,223 cargo vessel visits in 2025 — surpassing its previous record by 4%. Seagirt Marine Terminal set its own record with 689 ship calls in 2025, moving over 1.1 million TEUs. The port handled 45.9 million tons of cargo in 2024. Baltimore remains the busiest RoRo port in the United States.
Last updated: April 2026
Data sources: Maryland Port Administration, MDE, EPA Region 3, USACE Baltimore District, USCG Sector Maryland-NCR, NOAA Research