UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - The chief operating officer of a suburban New York utility company heavily criticized for its response to Superstorm Sandy is stepping down.
The Long Island Power Authority announced Tuesday that Michael Hervey has tendered his resignation, effective at the end of the year. Hervey has been with LIPA (LY'-puh) for 12 years.
LIPA has come under withering criticism since Sandy knocked out power to more than a million of its customers on Oct. 29, both for how long it was taking to get power restored and for poor communication with customers.
The company says 99 percent of those who can safely get power have it restored. But 35,000 customers that suffered significant flood damage need repairs on their properties before power can come back.
