Brookhaven discusses 18-month AI data center moratorium

The Town of Brookhaven is considering an 18-month moratorium on AI data centers, mirroring a year-long statewide moratorium recently enacted by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to allow for further research into the industry's impacts.

During a recent town meeting, residents gathered to protest a proposed data center in Yaphank. Sonja Urrico, who lives near the site, expressed fear and demanded transparency regarding independent studies on the data center's effects, while Lynne Maher of Brookhaven stated the project "doesn't belong here." Public comments largely opposed the data centers, raising concerns about potential environmental strain, particularly regarding electricity and water consumption, and noise pollution.

Conversely, some voices, including a plumbers and pipefitters union, argued that a moratorium would eliminate well-paying union jobs and hinder technological innovation. Michael Bowden, the Director of Development for Wildflower, the company behind the proposed Yaphank data center, defended the project. He asserted that the company has already addressed concerns through measures like an acoustic noise study, ensuring developer-paid electricity costs, and a closed-loop water system using a minimal amount of water, equivalent to an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Bowden also highlighted the project's potential to create thousands of construction jobs and generate millions in property taxes.