States with the Lowest Water Stress for Cooling
States ranked by the average water sub-score (higher = lower water stress) — a proxy for cooling-water availability across candidate sites. Indiana leads with 81.8 (average water sub-score), ahead of Mississippi (81.6).
| # | State | Average water sub-score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | 81.8 |
| 2 | Mississippi | 81.6 |
| 3 | Georgia | 76.5 |
| 4 | South Carolina | 76.4 |
| 5 | Virginia | 75.7 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 74.2 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 73.8 |
| 8 | Alabama | 73.6 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 73.4 |
| 10 | North Dakota | 73.1 |
| 11 | Louisiana | 73.0 |
| 12 | North Carolina | 73.0 |
| 13 | New York | 71.6 |
| 14 | Iowa | 70.7 |
| 15 | Illinois | 70.6 |
| 16 | Maryland | 70.3 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 69.7 |
| 18 | Ohio | 68.6 |
| 19 | Missouri | 68.0 |
| 20 | New Jersey | 67.4 |
| 21 | South Dakota | 67.4 |
| 22 | Delaware | 67.1 |
| 23 | Florida | 66.3 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | 65.5 |
| 25 | Michigan | 64.9 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | 63.5 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | 62.5 |
| 28 | Connecticut | 62.3 |
| 29 | Vermont | 61.9 |
| 30 | Maine | 61.8 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | 61.6 |
| 32 | West Virginia | 60.5 |
| 33 | Kentucky | 60.2 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | 59.9 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | 59.3 |
| 36 | Oregon | 58.1 |
| 37 | Alaska | 58.0 |
| 38 | Nebraska | 57.4 |
| 39 | Hawaii | 56.9 |
| 40 | Kansas | 56.4 |
| 41 | Washington | 56.3 |
| 42 | Montana | 54.0 |
| 43 | Texas | 53.1 |
| 44 | Idaho | 51.6 |
| 45 | Wyoming | 51.2 |
| 46 | Colorado | 48.8 |
| 47 | California | 46.2 |
| 48 | Utah | 45.6 |
| 49 | Arizona | 44.8 |
| 50 | New Mexico | 40.6 |
| 51 | Nevada | 39.1 |
Methodology
This ranking is computed directly from the GridCensus dataset of 164,098 scored candidate sites. Values are screening estimates derived from public data sources — not site-specific assessments. Catalogued capacity is a theoretical aggregate, not deliverable power. Full methodology →
Ranking FAQ
- What state ranks #1 for "states with the lowest water stress for cooling"?
- Indiana ranks first with 81.8 (average water sub-score), followed by Mississippi (81.6).
- How is this ranking calculated?
- States ranked by the average water sub-score (higher = lower water stress) — a proxy for cooling-water availability across candidate sites. Figures are screening estimates derived from public data sources and refresh monthly.
Related rankings
Dataset updated . Screening estimates derived from public data sources.
Go deeper than the public screen
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