Cuomo denies was headed to OK fracking

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo denies he was close to approving limited hydrofracking for natural gas last month before talking with environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Cuomo says an Associated Press report citing state officials and an interview with Kennedy was wrong. State officials close to Cuomo and Kennedy had said Cuomo was near a decision last month to order limited drilling. 

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Credit Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

The AP reported Cuomo had come closer than he ever had to deciding whether to approve limited test wells. But after talking with Kennedy, Cuomo decided to await a new comprehensive health study.

Cuomo confirms he was speaking to Kennedy, his former brother-in-law. Cuomo says he doesn't recall telling Kennedy that he won't greenlight fracking if it's a health threat, but that he's said that before.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.