Fighting for Good Governance and Rule of Law
Good governance and the rule of law are essential to the success of all environmental and public health programs. That is why, at the core of all of PEER’s work is an effort to improve the ability of our government to address the most pressing environmental and public health issues of our time.
Today, around the country, the work of public servants and government agencies are under attack We fight for the strengthening of laws affecting open records, whistleblower protections, data quality, and government oversight. We are fierce litigators of freedom of information laws and often call on Inspectors General to investigate government malfeasance. We insist on high ethical standards, professionalism, accountability, and public participation in decisions that affect public health, the environment and natural resources.
We use all the tools available to us to help public employees right environmental wrongs and to build the foundation for lasting, positive change.
Scientific Integrity Policies by Agency
These policies were mandated to protect the scientific community.
Public Record Laws by State
FOIA records include information on exemptions to disclosure, access rights, and destruction of public records.
Science Integrity Plan Throws Scientists Under the Bus
OSTP Encourages Dissent but Offers No Legal Protection Against Backlash
NEWS FROM PEER
Federal Agencies Still Shelling Out Millions in Paid Leave
Law to Curb Excessive Administrative Leave Never Implemented
Park Service Mired in Reform Malaise
Rising Attrition, Growing Dissatisfaction, and Glacial Leadership Response
COMMENTARY | Is Congress Too Dysfunctional to Fund the National Parks?
In past decades, America’s best idea was one of the few domestic programs enjoying bipartisan support.
PEERMail | Holding Polluters Accountable
It takes constant oversight by advocacy groups to make sure the government holds polluters accountable.
STATEMENT | IG Report Finds EPA New Chemical Review Process Badly Broken
EPA has not complied with applicable record keeping and quality assurance requirements when implementing its New Chemicals Program
EPA Criminal Enforcement Sputters Back to Life
FY 23 Uptick After Enforcement Levels Hit Generational Lows Under Biden
CSB Should Recoup Improper Payments to Ex-Chair
Trump Appointee Racked Up Nearly $100,000 in Unauthorized Expenses
COMMENTARY | Trump Vs. Biden: Federal Governance
A comparison of the Trump Administration and the first two years of the Biden Administration on their Good Governance activity.
VIDEO | Testimony Before the House Natural Resources Committee (May 10, 2023)
PEER Executive Director Tim Whitehouse testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources in support and opposition of various bills.
Science Integrity Plan Throws Scientists Under the Bus
OSTP Encourages Dissent but Offers No Legal Protection Against Backlash
OSTP Slips Gag Rule into Model Scientific Integrity Policy
Scientists Prohibited from Policy Recommendations in Presenting Research
EPA Cannot Retrieve Text Message Content
New “Deprovisioning Process” for Employees to “Wipe” Mobile Devices
Park Service Lack of Transparency Created Its Huge FOIA Backlog
The National Park Service is drowning in FOIA requests – the backlog has nearly doubled during the past two years.
PEERMail | What This Election Means
It’s easy to become jaded about elections but climate change efforts, public lands protection, and regulation of toxic chemicals are on the ballot.
PEERMail | Ending a Culture of Reprisal at USGS
We are here to protect scientists like Evi Emmenegger who was fired after reporting dangerous biosafety breaches at a wildlife disease laboratory
PEERMail | Shocking News on Pesticides
PEER is urgently asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of PFAS in pesticides
PEERMail | Save the EPA
On September 20, 2022, thousands of people from around the country will take part in a rally outside of the EPA headquarters in DC.
EPA Routinely Ignores Chemical Risk Calculations
Workers imperiled by failures to flag serious known hazards.
COMMENTARY | Environmental Whistleblowers and the Need for Change at EPA
Environmental whistleblowers may not grab the nation’s attention but they are vital to creating meaningful government reforms.
PEERMail | Supreme Threats
The Supreme Court’s use of the “major questions doctrine” to reach its decision in West Virginia v. EPA sets a frightening precedent.