Area of Focus
Severiano is responsible for developing policy to help minimize conflict between WRA’s dual goals of protecting at least 50% of land in all ecoregions while simultaneously building new clean energy projects necessary to achieve our goal for cutting carbon emissions from the region’s power sector to 60% below 2016 levels by 2030. He is helping to develop mitigation policy to offset impacts of clean energy development by restoring and protecting new high priority wildlife habitats and migration corridors.
Background
Severiano joined WRA in 2021 as the Western States and Federal Clean Energy Policy Fellow to track federal energy policy proposals and funding and identify state-level climate and clean energy policy efforts that could be boosted with additional federal support or resources. Born and raised in Colorado, Severiano always felt a deep connection with nature that led him to dedicate his life to addressing climate change, environmental justice, and working to protect natural resources in the West for future generations.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder
- Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management at the University of Denver
Favorite thing about the West
The wide-open spaces full of new adventures. Hiking and camping with my family in the mountains. The peaceful solitude of being in the backcountry, floating on a river, or climbing a mountain.
