This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Obituaries

What's Next for LIPA?

Syosset and Woodbury 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.

Like Syosset Patch on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

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

In fact, LIPA reports the Town of Oyster Bay currently has 370 customers without power Thursday, including 18 in Syosset and less than 5 in Woodbury.

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.

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

, 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. 

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.

What should happen to LIPA? Give us your thoughts in the comments.

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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?