Commentary

Executive Director

Tim is PEER’s Executive Director, with more than 30 years of experience working on environmental issues with governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Prior to joining PEER, he was a senior attorney at the United States Environmental Protection Agency and was head of the Law and Policy Program at the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Montreal, Canada. He has worked as a consultant for companies on environmental compliance issues, and with nonprofit organizations focusing on clean energy issues. Most recently, he was executive director of Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, a health advocacy group working to address climate change, toxics pollution, and nuclear disarmament issues. Tim’s interest is in the intersection of science, policy, and civil service. He believes in protecting employees who raise concerns about their workplace and in exposing undue influence on government for private gain. He holds a JD and BA from Emory University and an MA from New York University.

Government Chaos Demands a Congressional Oversight Agenda

by Tim Whitehouse | June 12, 2026
With national elections just around the corner, PEER is stepping up its efforts to engage in congressional oversight activities ...

Interior Secretary Burgum is Playing with Fire

by Peter Jenkins | May 20, 2026
By all metrics, the upcoming 2026 fire season in the parched West looks like it may be one of the worst ever — with massive, dangerous forest fires. The Southeast has already seen several forest fires, with record numbers in Florida and Georgia. Fire response is more than just fighting ...

The Endangered Species Act and the Importance of Federal Action

by Tim Whitehouse | May 15, 2026
National Endangered Species Day reminds us what’s at stake. But this year, the reminder arrives with added urgency: the systems designed to protect these animals — and thousands like them — are being systematically dismantled ...

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous War on Information

by Guest Contributor | May 11, 2026
Information is a public good, which is why government has long been entrusted with its collection and dissemination. That pipeline is now badly damaged ...

Eroding Sanctuary for Wildlife in National Parks

by Jeff Ruch | May 8, 2026
During Trump’s first term, the National Park Service was an area of malign neglect, without a confirmed director for all four years. For most of Trump 1.0, the national parks were ignored, but no longer ...

Spending Time in Nature Builds Resilience: A Lesson from Rachel Carson

by Guest Contributor | April 10, 2026
Rachel Carson reminds us that our connection with our precious blue planet is mutual. Just as we take action to protect the planet, so we can draw strength and support from it ...