Carroll Courtenay

Staff Attorney

Carroll is a member of the SELC Virginia Land & Community team, working to advance clean transportation policies and stop destructive and harmful projects—especially those that impact communities that have experienced environmental injustice. As part of this work, Carroll helped to persuade Virginia to adopt Clean Car standards, and that success means a lot to her. “These standards pave the way for more electric vehicles to come to Virginia,” she says. “Since the transportation sector is Virginia’s largest source of carbon pollution, the adoption of these standards was the single biggest step Virginia could take towards tackling climate pollution.” 

Carroll also works on water issues. She leads SELC’s work involving industrial chemicals in Virginia, making sure industrial facilities—not downstream communities—bear the burden of removing harmful chemicals from their wastewater before they get into our waterways. She also is tackling issues related to an emerging new industry in the state: gold mining.  “Virginia has never had modern, industrial gold mining, so we will be working to make sure Virginia’s communities and environment are protected in the face of this new industry,” she says.

Getting to work at SELC protecting the places and communities I love is a dream job.

Carroll Courtenay

Growing up, her family climbed Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park every New Year’s Day, and that remains a special place for Carroll. “The trail would be relatively empty for such a popular hike, and some of my fondest—and coldest—memories are eating sardines and Ritz crackers with family at the summit.”

Previous experience 

• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
• B.A., University of Richmond, magna cum laude
• With SELC since 2018