A new study from web hosting provider KnownHost examines how state level electricity demand from data centers is translating into carbon emissions across the United States, offering a visual breakdown of the states carrying the heaviest data center energy load.

Virginia tops the list, with data centers in the state producing an estimated 199.1 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per megawatt hour, more than one seventh of total US data center emissions. The report attributes Virginia's position to its status as the country's largest data center hub, driven by dense fiber connectivity, competitive power pricing, and a long established base of hyperscale campuses.

Texas ranks second, with an estimated 71.25 tons of CO2 equivalent spread across 278 facilities, followed by California at 116.7 tons. Ohio and Illinois round out the top five states by data center related emissions.

Industry analysts cited in the report point to a broader shift underway as electricity demand climbs. Grid strain in states like Texas and California has pushed some operators toward on-site power generation, while utilities in other markets face capacity constraints that could delay new connections into the next decade.

The report also points to renewable energy and nuclear power as growing parts of the response, with several major cloud providers signing long-term agreements to secure carbon free electricity for expanding campuses. Analysts note the shift reflects a wider industry recognition that power availability, not construction timelines, has become the primary constraint on data center growth nationwide.

Source: Data Center Knowledge - https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/sustainability/data-centers-emissions-virginia-texas-california-top-co2-chart