What Shah’s departure means for fracking in New York

[hrmjustin]

Scott Waldman

ALBANY—The departure of Nirav Shah as state health commissioner means he will hand off the lengthy review that has allowed Governor Andrew Cuomo to put off making a decision on whether to allow hydrofracking in New York.

Shah's three-year tenure as state health commissioner will come to an end in June, when he will be replaced by first deputy commissioner Howard Zucker.

The only two people who can know for sure whether Shah's departure will have any effect on Cuomo's decision to approve or reject high-volume hydraulic fracturing are the governor and Shah himself.

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/04/8543559/what-shahs-departure-means-fracking-new-york

[ABCin2014]

1. There won't be a decision

Until after the general election. Cuomo doesn't want to alienate pro-fracking business interests that contribute heavily to his war chest, and he already is alienating much of his base. This is a no-win situation for him. He will do nothing until after November.

[hrmjustin]

2. I agree. He is too much of a coward to make a decision before hand.