Brookhaven supervisor proposes 18-month moratorium on AI data centers

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico announced plans to propose an 18-month moratorium on AI data centers, citing concerns over the significant electricity demand these facilities could place on the Long Island power grid. Panico stated the moratorium would provide time for Brookhaven to collaborate with state and Suffolk County officials to develop comprehensive guidelines for the rapidly evolving AI industry.

The supervisor's announcement came amidst controversy surrounding a flyer, circulated by the grassroots Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group (BLARG), which falsely claimed the town intended to rezone residential areas for a data complex. Panico vehemently denied the flyer's assertions, calling it "social media manipulation" and potentially AI-generated, stating no such rezoning was on the town board's agenda.

Despite the flyer's inaccuracies regarding immediate rezoning, BLARG member Monique Fitzgerald confirmed the group issued the flyer to raise awareness about a proposed Yaphank data center. The group plans to advocate against AI data centers generally, expressing concerns about their environmental impact, including on the Long Island pine barrens.

Separately, WF Industrial XII, also known as Wildflower Ltd., had previously filed plans for a Yaphank data center with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). Michael Bowden, development director for Wildflower Ltd., noted that NYISO has approved a study on the facility's potential impact on power and water systems. Bowden also clarified that the proposed facility would not use water for cooling. Panico emphasized that Brookhaven has not yet received a formal application from Wildflower Ltd. for an AI center, and stressed the need for local laws to adapt to technological changes and provide safeguards, highlighting the regional nature of electricity cost concerns.