Environmental groups and a state lawmaker proposed Friday to make Long Island Power Authority board membership an elected position, a move the group hopes would increase LIPA leadership's accountability to ratepayers.

Assemb. Mark Alessi (D-Manor Park), with the support of Adrienne Esposito, of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, along with other local environmental groups, is pushing for a state law that would require elections. Currently, all 15 of LIPA's Board of Trustees are appointed, nine of which by the governor.

"They are not as accountable to the Long Island ratepayer as someone who would be elected, or at least appointed by local elected officials," Alessi said.

Esposito said the board should be in sync with what the public wants and needs.

LIPA Chairman Kevin Law said he hasn't decided yet on the proposal.

"It's an interesting idea," Law said. "I'd like to sit down and discuss it with them. Maybe it's perhaps a mix, maybe there's a combination of appointments by the governor and Senator Bruno and some elected representatives."