The commissioner of New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said that he wasn’t sure when hydraulic fracing regulations would be finalized, possibly jeopardizing an end-of-the-month deadline for rulemaking.

Ultimately, Gov. Andrew Cuomo will make a decision on whether to lift a moratorium on Marcellus shale fracing, a controversy that has polarized opponents and supporters.

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said at a hearing on Feb. 4 that he wasn’t sure whether a report being reviewed by the state’s top health official would be ready in time to meet a deadline ...