Amy Biancolli is reporting for the Times Union a state Department of Conservation task force January 13 announced its proposed statewide plan to address New York's plastic bag problem, and called on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the state Legislature to take action. Basil Seggos, DEC commissioner and chair of the NYS Plastic Bag Task Force called plastic-bag use, "a significant environmental problem in New York state." The 88-page report, "An Analysis of the Impact of Single-Use Plastic Bags," includes information on plastic bag solutions implemented around the world as well as potential approaches to combating the problem statewide. Potential solutions outlined in the report include fees, an all-out ban and a "hybrid" of ban and fees. "Any option would include significant education and outreach. ... We need to make consumers aware of the problem," Seggos said. The full report is available at dec [dot] ny [dot] gov. Read the full story in the Times Union.