Brookhaven Board Meeting Gets Heated, Approves Data Center Moratorium
Brookhaven Town officials unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center applications after a packed public hearing where residents voiced strong opposition. Residents expressed concerns about the strain on Long Island's electric grid, increased utility costs, potential threats to the sole-source aquifer, and diminished quality of life. The moratorium will allow the town to develop its first zoning regulations for data centers.
A heated Brookhaven Town Board meeting concluded with the unanimous approval of an 18-month moratorium on new data center applications, following overwhelming resident opposition. Residents expressed significant concerns regarding potential strains on Long Island's electric grid, increased utility costs, threats to the region's sole-source aquifer, and a diminished quality of life from data center development.
During the public hearing, Jordan Christiansen warned of brownouts and blackouts due to energy demands, while Michael Mannix emphasized environmental protection over unchecked economic growth. Richard Perez questioned the burden on residents, and Ben Hogan, a former Stony Brook University researcher, described the intense noise and power needs of high-performance computing. Several residents also raised questions about industrial buildings in Yaphank potentially becoming data centers.
Supervisor Dan Panico addressed these concerns, clarifying that not all warehouses are data centers and that the town currently lacks specific zoning for such facilities. He assured residents that the Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency would not consider data center proposals during the moratorium and affirmed the town's commitment to resisting undue developer pressure, citing past successful litigation. Panico acknowledged Long Island's energy challenges, noting that the state needs a clearer long-term energy strategy.
The supervisor stated the moratorium would provide the Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management time to craft comprehensive zoning regulations covering site selection, energy and water consumption, noise, environmental impacts, infrastructure, and renewable energy integration. Councilman Jonathan Kornreich dismissed concerns about cryptocurrency mining due to high electricity costs. While Tatiana Lasalle of the Long Island Association urged against a blanket moratorium, Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano supported Brookhaven's right to local control over the issue, distinguishing it from a statewide proposal.