Community Corner

What's Next for LIPA?

East Northport and Elwood customers still without power as fallout mounts over LIPA's hurricane response.

Days of power outages, followed by gas rationing and general misery united residents and politicians of every stripe in a way that may be unprecedented on Long Island. They joined to form a chorus of anger aimed at the Long Island Power Authority. 

In the nearly three weeks since Hurricane Sandy left an indelible mark on Long Island, LIPA has become the main target for all that’s gone awry.

In fact, a handful of customers are still without power in East Northport and Elwood nearly three weeks after Sandy.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On the same day Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a statewide commission to hold the state's utilities accountable for their performance, LIPA Chief Operating Officer Michael Hervey announced Tuesday he would step down at the end of the year.

, also announced Tuesday that as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, he will head a set of hearings to investigate LIPA's response to Hurricane Sandy. 

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A coalition seems to be building against the utility.

And just as it happened to predecessor LILCO, the future of LIPA appears to be in doubt. A poor response to Hurricane Gloria in September 1985 led to its eventual sale.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here