Rick Karlin is reporting in the Times Union a special task force is considering the future of plastic bag usage statewide. In a meeting held in Albany this week, the group, established by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo earlier this year, discussed two options, the imposition of a nickel fee at checkout, or an outright ban. Representatives of various environmental and food industry groups at the meeting seemed to agree that by year end they would recommend some sort of control on the bags. “It seems like the writing is on the wall,” said Jennie Romer, a lawyer and consultant who runs the plasticbaglaws.org website. “We would be happy to share the fees,” said Michael Rosen, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, which represents food retailers. A fee that would encourage people to bring their own bags, he said, was preferable to an outright ban. Some communities have already enacted or are planning bans. The major obstacle to imposing a fee is the cost to consumers, and the anger that a new 5-cent fee could cause. Read the full story in the Times Union.