Suffolk Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. has formally urged the Trump Administration to consider Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton as the site for a major Artificial Intelligence data center.
In a detailed letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Comptroller highlighted Brookhaven’s unique qualifications to meet the DOE’s ambitious goals for AI infrastructure development, which includes the construction of a dedicated power generation facility on a projected 90-acre footprint.
“Brookhaven’s 5,000-acre campus not only offers the necessary space but also maintains a substantial buffer from residential communities, minimizing disruptions,” Kennedy wrote. He emphasized the lab’s long-standing partnership with Stony Brook University, citing it as a critical advantage for fostering innovation, research, and education in the AI sector.
The letter also pointed to New York State’s recent $1.4 million investment to launch an interdisciplinary Department of Technology, AI, and Society at Stony Brook University — part of a broader $5 million allocation across SUNY institutions — as proof of the region’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence research and collaboration.
Kennedy praised initiatives like the LiSIE Program and the Joint Photon Sciences Institute (JPSI), which already integrate scientific research with practical application, making Brookhaven and its academic partners uniquely suited to host the DOE’s next-generation AI infrastructure.
“This collaborative synergy, combined with the area’s demonstrated commitment to scientific advancement and technological innovation, presents a compelling case for selecting Brookhaven,” Kennedy said.
He concluded by offering his office’s assistance to provide any additional information needed and expressed confidence that Brookhaven National Laboratory represents “an optimal choice for this critical project.”
The Department of Energy is evaluating responses to a Request for Information as it prepares to expand the nation’s AI capabilities, a move seen as pivotal to President Trump’s strategy to position the United States as a leader in emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence is poised to drive innovation, boost efficiency, and create new economic opportunities across every major sector.