Amid severe and growing criticism by residents and government officials, Northeast Utilities announced on Thursday that Connecticut Light & Power president Jeffrey Butler has resigned, according to the Hartford Courant.

The Berlin, CT-based utility also announced that it is planning to improve its performance so that CL&P is better prepared for severe weather such as Tropical Storm Irene and last month's Nor'Easter, which caused widespread power outages across the state.

Butler's resignation comes just as Gov. Dannel Malloy's "Two-Storm Committee" is beginning its review of the preparedness and responses of CL&P and United Illuminating during the recent storms.