Environmentally Speaking

Environmentally Speaking
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Podcast host Clarice Parsons interviews Kerin Browning and Marisa Desautel, managing partners of Desautel Browning Law. They will leave you cracking up while discussing some serious topics around state / federal environmental law, utility / energy statutory and regulatory compliance, civil litigation, and municipal and regulatory zoning and permitting.

  1. SEP 19

    EP: 127 - Coastal Resilience & Municipal Planning in Rhode Island

    In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons dive into how Rhode Island’s coastal municipalities are adapting to climate change and rising sea levels through updated zoning and land-use ordinances. Topics covered include: The growing urgency of coastal resilience planning in Rhode Island Steps towns are taking to revise municipal ordinances for future development Challenges of balancing due process vs. emergency action The concept of “retreat”—when rebuilding in flood-prone areas no longer makes sense Protecting natural defenses such as wetlands and conservation easements Legal and policy questions about redevelopment after disasters Human behavior during disasters and the formation of “stay-behind” communities Whether you’re a homeowner, planner, or environmental professional, this conversation offers insight into the legal and practical measures shaping the state’s coastal future.

    13 min
  2. Ep: 126 - Flooded Out? Inside Rhode Island’s First Buyback Program for At-Risk Homes

    JUL 31

    Ep: 126 - Flooded Out? Inside Rhode Island’s First Buyback Program for At-Risk Homes

    This week on Environmentally Speaking, Marisa and Clarice dive into a timely and critical topic—Rhode Island's first-ever buyback program for flood-prone homes along the Pocasset River. With increased flooding due to climate change and rising sea levels, federal and local agencies are stepping in with a solution: offering homeowners fair market value to relocate away from flood-risk zones. But with limited funding and over 100 vulnerable properties, is this just a drop in the bucket? In this episode: Why this program is launching now How the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is involved The impact on communities in Cranston and Johnston Whether homeowners are getting a fair deal Questions about long-term funding and flood prevention 🔗 Have you or someone you know received a letter about the buyback? Reach out to us!

    7 min

  3. JUN 19

    EP: 125 - Act on Coasts Study

    In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons discuss Rhode Island’s first state-funded coastal resiliency study, a result of the recently passed Act on Coasts (2024). Topics covered include: What is a resiliency study and why it matters Current threats to Rhode Island’s coastline The newly appointed Chief Resilience Officer and their responsibilities Community involvement and state planning timelines Legal implications and potential next steps International approaches to coastal erosion This episode explores the legal, environmental, and policy challenges involved in climate adaptation and coastal planning for Rhode Island and beyond.

    18 min
  4. Land Use: Politics, Property and Process

    APR 3

    Land Use: Politics, Property and Process

    Clarice and Kerin sit down to discuss today's political climate and the way it is impacting land use in New England. Kerin discusses the question: "What happens when politics and special interests get involved in our zoning and land use process?"

    28 min

  5. MAR 20

    EP: 123 - Understanding the Regulator’s Perspective

    In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, we dive into the crucial role of regulators and explore how businesses and individuals can build productive, trust-based relationships with them. Our guest, Bill Patenaude, brings over 34 years of experience as a regulator and trainer at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) to share valuable insights on how to navigate regulatory processes, communicate effectively, and avoid common compliance pitfalls. Bill holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and retired from RI DEM in May 2023. He is a Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instructor/facilitator and now works as a trainer and technical assistance provider for the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) in Lowell, MA, where he continues to teach regulatory relations. Additionally, Bill serves as a Flex Facilitator for Half Full LLC in Providence, where he provides training on communication skills, difficult conversations, leadership, organizational development, and more. 🔗 Connect with Bill Patenaude: 📧 Email:WLPatenaude@gmail.com 💼 LinkedIn:Find Bill on LinkedIn

    31 min
  6. EP: 122 - Environmental Review of Offshore Wind: Policy Changes and Challenges

    MAR 6

    EP: 122 - Environmental Review of Offshore Wind: Policy Changes and Challenges

    Welcome back, listeners, to another episode of Environmentally Speaking! After a brief hiatus, we're diving right back into the pressing issues of environmental policy and legislation. In today's episode, we discuss the dramatic shifts in governmental policies, particularly focusing on the surprising changes regarding offshore wind projects under the new administration. The Biden administration's aggressive push for these projects has been paused with a six-month moratorium under the new executive order. We’ll explore the implications of this pause, the potential legal and environmental impacts, and what the future might hold for offshore wind initiatives. Stay tuned as we unravel these developments and ponder their consequences on our environment and legal landscape. If you have any topics you'd love to hear more about, don't forget to reach out to us with your suggestions!  Email: marissa@desautelbrowning.com

    21 min

  7. 09/26/2024

    Solutions for Developers Facing Supply Chain Issues

    Have you ever wondered how supply chain issues impact developers and what alternatives they might have? Tune into this week's episode of Environmentally Speaking with hosts Kerin and Clarice as they break down the trends, pitfalls, and strategies for navigating these challenges. Key Takeaways: - Understanding market cycles and timing your projects - Practical tips to save money and strategize better - The importance of keeping future trends in mind

    21 min

  8. 09/13/2024

    Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags

    Join Clarice and Marisa as they discuss the ban on single-use plastic bags in this thought-provoking episode of Environmentally Speaking. Have thoughts or experiences to share? Reach out.

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Podcast host Clarice Parsons interviews Kerin Browning and Marisa Desautel, managing partners of Desautel Browning Law. They will leave you cracking up while discussing some serious topics around state / federal environmental law, utility / energy statutory and regulatory compliance, civil litigation, and municipal and regulatory zoning and permitting.

Information

  • Creator
    Environmentally Speaking
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Desautel Browning Law
  • Show Website
    Environmentally Speaking

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