Greenpeace Faces $345M Judgment in Dakota Access Pipeline Case
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota judge has determined he will order Greenpeace to pay an expected $345 million to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access oil pipeline, stemming from protests nearly a decade ago. The decision, filed Tuesday by Judge James Gion, follows a jury verdict last year that found several Greenpeace entities liable for defamation and other claims.
The judgment represents a reduction from the $666 million initially awarded by the nine-person jury, but Energy Transfer has indicated it will appeal the lowered amount. Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Fund Inc. Are the entities named in the suit, which alleges wrongdoing related to protests against the pipeline’s construction in 2016, and 2017.
The lawsuit centers on demonstrations that took place near the Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation. The tribe opposed the pipeline, citing concerns about potential threats to its water supply. Thousands of people joined the protests, leading to months of demonstrations and hundreds of arrests.
Energy Transfer attorney Trey Cox characterized Greenpeace’s actions as manipulative, alleging the organization exploited local concerns to advance its broader agenda. He accused Greenpeace of providing financial support to protesters, organizing training sessions, sharing intelligence about the pipeline route, and supplying tools for demonstrations, such as lockboxes.
Greenpeace has vehemently denied these claims, asserting its limited involvement in the protests and labeling the litigation as “lawfare” intended to silence environmental activism. “We will be requesting a recent trial and, failing that, will appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court of North Dakota, where Greenpeace International and the US Greenpeace entities have solid arguments for the dismissal of all legal claims against us,” Greenpeace International General Counsel Kristin Casper said Thursday.
The jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts, including defamation, conspiracy, trespass, nuisance, and tortious interference. Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. Were found liable on some of the claims. The $345 million figure was set by Judge Gion last year, but the formal order is now expected to trigger the appeal process in the North Dakota Supreme Court.
Founded in 1971, Greenpeace has a history of direct action and protest, including scaling chemical plant smokestacks, occupying oil platforms, and staging demonstrations at political events. In 2017, activists unfurled a banner near the White House days after President Donald Trump took steps to restart construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. More recently, in 2023, Greenpeace activists covered the country estate of then-British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in black fabric to protest new oil and gas drilling.
The long-term financial implications of the judgment for Greenpeace remain uncertain. Greenpeace USA has stated it does not possess the assets to cover the full amount of the damages. The outcome of the appeal to the North Dakota Supreme Court will determine the next steps in the legal battle.