AI-generated flyer sparks confusion, concern over possible Brookhaven AI data center proposal
The online flyer fueled fears among some residents already concerned about the possible impacts a large-scale AI data center could have on Long Island’s electric grid, environment and water supply.
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An AI-generated flyer circulating online sparked concern among Brookhaven residents this week after falsely claiming a public hearing and vote were scheduled regarding a proposed Artificial Intelligence data center in Yaphank, according to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico.
Panico pushed back against the claims in a public statement. He said there is currently no application filed with the town, no public hearing scheduled and no pending vote related to an AI data center proposal.
“There is no change of zone pending for an AI data center,” Panico said. “There is no pending application in all of the town as of the time of this post.”
The online flyer fueled fears among some residents already concerned about the possible impacts a large-scale AI data center could have on Long Island’s electric grid, environment and water supply.
“I worry about our electric bills going up,” one resident told News 12.
Another resident raised concerns about water consumption and environmental impacts.
Panico says an AI data center entity has been working with the Long Island Power Authority and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) regarding possible future power needs connected to warehouse properties in Yaphank owned by Wildflower. However, he stressed that no formal proposal has been submitted to the town.
NYISO told News 12 it has “no information regarding the project” currently being discussed publicly.
The agency said when large facilities like data centers seek to connect to the power grid, it conducts system impact studies to determine whether electrical upgrades would be necessary to maintain reliability. NYISO said those studies are informational and do not determine whether projects move forward.
Brookhaven National Laboratory also addressed online speculation, confirming it previously expressed interest in a Department of Energy request for information involving potential AI data center sites. However, the lab said it was not selected among the four sites ultimately chosen by the federal government.
“Brookhaven Lab has no current plans to build or host an AI data center on site,” a lab spokesperson said in a statement.
Panico said if a formal application is eventually submitted, there will be "robust" public input and there may be a zone change, a legislative act he says the town does not have to give.
News 12 reached out to LIPA to see if it could raise customers' electric bills as well as the Suffolk County Water Authority to see if an AI data center could impact water quality but had not received a response from both as of Tuesday night.
