ABSTRACT
Once the scenarios were generated and described, they could be compared. First, we analyzed the Baseline Status Quo, the scenario that seemed to involve the least change in current economic paths, technologies, and policies and behaviors. This described a future of relatively rapid economic growth with serious environmental impacts. In consideration of existing laws and national policies that are likely to impact the state, we demonstrated that the Baseline Status Quo was not actually very likely. Certain impacts, such as certain measures of air quality, are already limitations to the economic growth of the area; the costs of these and other impacts would be likely to rise in the future, and arrest the ability of the area to develop economically. Change is not only likely, and inadequate change is likely to have economic effects.
