Fracking deadline passes without action

ALBANY, NY (AP) - As another deadline for enacting New York fracking regulations comes and goes with no action, environmental groups and other organizations are renewing their call for public participation in a health impact review.

Wednesday is the deadline for the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue a final version of its proposed regulations for gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. But Commissioner Joe Martens has said the regulations won't be completed until the state health commissioner concludes his review of health impacts.

If new regulations are proposed, they'll be subject to at least a 45-day comment period.

A coalition of groups is holding a news conference Wednesday calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to conduct a state-specific health impact assessment with public participation.