News bites: The biggest loser, fracking edition

The Associated Press reports that Russia “could be the big loser” in the U.S. natural-gas fracking boom.

The New York Times reports that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) might be backing away from allowing fracking, the controversial gas development process, in his state.

Cuomo is requiring a new public health study, and state environmental officials have ordered a do-over in the regulatory rulemaking process.

“The developments have created a sense in Albany that Mr. Cuomo is consigning fracking to oblivion,” the Times reports.

AP reports on coal industry funding of campaigns for governor in West Virginia.

Bloomberg is out with a new poll on climate change.

“Democrats and independent voters overwhelmingly accept the scientific evidence that human activity is warming the earth’s temperature, while almost two out of three Republicans don’t,” the news service reports.

Reuters reports that oil tensions between Iraq’s central government and the autonomous Kurdish region could be easing.

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