Environmental fights intensify at the Georgia Capitol | www.myajc.com

Environmentalists say this year at the Georgia Legislature has been particularly brutal.

Lawmakers have so far embraced the plastic bag lobby, taken a swipe at an eco-friendly rating system and written new rules about developing coastal areas. They also have pushed to phase out state tax credits for electric vehicles and — with a nod from Gov. Nathan Deal — backed a plan some fear could weaken the state’s soil and water protection agency.

Each effort has been presented for varying reasons, including to reduce business costs; prevent confusion; favor Georgia-based building suppliers; recoup millions of state dollars; or clear the way for new economic development projects.

Taken together, however, they’ve knocked environmental groups back on their heels in an increasingly fraught race toward the session’s expected end April 2.

“We’ve seen more anti-environmental rollbacks this year than I’ve seen in years,” said Mark Woodall, the Georgia Sierra Club’s legislative chairman.

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