N.Y. Governor Orders Moratorium on 'Fracking' Pending Environmental Study

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Gov. David A. Paterson has issued an executive order halting the use of hydraulic fracturing in natural gas exploration (Executive Order No. 41: Requiring Further Environmental Review).

Gov. Paterson issued an executive order on Dec. 13 suspending any such drilling in his state until the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation completes an environmental impact study.

A study draft is due by June 1 and would then be subject to a 30-day public comment period, so the executive order would be in place until July 1, at the earliest.

The governor said in …