NY Health Chief: Longer Gas-Drilling Study Needed

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says long-awaited regulations for shale gas drilling will be delayed after the state's health commissioner said his office needs more time to study the possible health impacts.

The DEC had faced a deadline Wednesday to complete its 4 1/2-year-old environmental impact study of drilling for gas using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Martens says Tuesday the deadline will be missed, meaning regulations due to be released Feb. 27 will be delayed.

But Martens says issuing of permits for shale gas drilling could begin even while regulations are being finished if the health hepartment's review finds DEC's impact study adequately addresses health concerns.

He says he expects Shah's review to be done in a few weeks.