New York Delays Fracking Decision

Cuomo Administration wants time to study effects on health

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration is delaying a final decision on fracking to study its effects on health.

The state in 2010 stopped gas drilling by hydraulic fracturing so regulators could conduct an environmental review and develop rules. Cuomo this year said he expected a decision by the environmental conservation department by about September.

Yesterday, department Commissioner Joseph Martens said Health Commissioner Nirav Shah will analyze the practice. Environmental groups pressed the state to use outside analysts for such a review, an idea that Martens said he rejected because they would probably be biased.