LIPA's new vice-president of environmental affairs, Michael Deering, decided Tuesday night to step down as a $17,500 a year board member of the Suffolk Water Authority.
Deering informed the board of his decision at their monthly meeting at the authority's Oakdale headquarters, a day after a proposal to increase board members' salaries by 25 percent caused a stir at the county legislature.
Deering, former top environmental aide to Steve Levy, had been on the authority board only since March, but joined LIPA earlier this month and said he felt it best that he not work for two separate state authorities. He said he wanted to avoid even "the perception of a potential conflict" and will concentrate on environmental matters at LIPA.
Rick Brand