WEST TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – The agency that oversees water quality in the four-state Delaware River basin says it will give people more time to submit written comments on proposed regulations for natural gas drilling.

The Delaware River Basin Commission announced Wednesday that it was extending the public comment deadline from March 16 to April 15. The agency says it received numerous requests to extend the deadline. It said it’s already received about 2,500 comments.

The DRBC has imposed a moratorium on gas drilling near the Delaware River until the rulemaking process is complete.

Those who favor drilling say it will produce jobs and inexpensive energy. Opponents fear it will harm water quality.

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