LIPA chief Michael Hervey steps down in wake of Hurricane Sandy

LIPA chief operating officer Michael Hervey has resigned, according to the Long Island Power Authority's chairman, Howard E. Steinberg.

The resignation is effective at the end of the year.

"Mike has provided 12 years of valuable service to LIPA, including taking on the responsibility to perform the functions of CEO of the organization over the past two years," Steinberg said in a statement.

Hervey had been under enormous pressure as public outrage against LIPA mounted in the wake of Sandy.

Residents had protested against LIPA and complained of suffering for two weeks or more without power after the storm.

At press time, there were still more than 9,000 customers without power and 46,000 others who won't get power for weeks because their electrical systems are damaged.

Hervey had defended the utility, saying the storm's size and power was unprecedented and that his workforce of 15,000 -- drawn from all over the country -- was working around the clock to restore power.