An executive order on natural gas drilling released by Gov. David Paterson Monday could delay the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing for months beyond the order’s July 1 expiration date, environmentalists said.

The governor’s order, which was posted on his website Monday, goes beyond what he indicated in a press release Saturday. In what could be bad news for energy companies, the order calls for the state Department of Environmental Conservation to revise the environmental impact statement draft it issued in December 2009.  (READ MORE)