In a landmark verdict, a jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay hundreds of millions in damages to pipeline company Energy Transfer, following claims that the organization significantly contributed to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly a decade ago. Greenpeace contends that the lawsuit aims to punish environmental advocates and curb criticism of the oil industry.
Jury Rules Against Greenpeace in Major Pipeline Protest Case
Jury Rules Against Greenpeace in Major Pipeline Protest Case
A North Dakota jury awarded Energy Transfer substantial damages related to Greenpeace's involvement in past protests. The verdict poses significant ramifications for the environmental organization.
In a significant legal decision, a jury in North Dakota found Greenpeace liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to Energy Transfer, a Texas-based pipeline company. This verdict emanates from a lawsuit where Energy Transfer alleged that Greenpeace had a central role in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline that garnered national attention in 2016 and 2017. Greenpeace has refuted these claims, asserting its involvement was minimal and framing the lawsuit as an attempt to suppress dissent against the oil industry.
The jury's decision, delivered after about 48 hours of deliberation, represents a serious setback for Greenpeace, with potential risks that could threaten its operational viability. Kelvin Warren, the co-founder and board chairman of Energy Transfer, expressed his strong views against the demonstrators, emphasizing the need for his firm to "stand up for ourselves" during closing arguments. He contended that the protesters had propagated a misleading narrative regarding the company.
Energy Transfer stands out as one of the largest pipeline firms in the United States, and the widespread protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline mobilized thousands of activists, many of whom joined months-long encampments near Cannon Ball, N.D. The outcome of this trial could impact not only Greenpeace but also the broader environmental movement and future protests against oil and pipeline operations across the country.
The jury's decision, delivered after about 48 hours of deliberation, represents a serious setback for Greenpeace, with potential risks that could threaten its operational viability. Kelvin Warren, the co-founder and board chairman of Energy Transfer, expressed his strong views against the demonstrators, emphasizing the need for his firm to "stand up for ourselves" during closing arguments. He contended that the protesters had propagated a misleading narrative regarding the company.
Energy Transfer stands out as one of the largest pipeline firms in the United States, and the widespread protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline mobilized thousands of activists, many of whom joined months-long encampments near Cannon Ball, N.D. The outcome of this trial could impact not only Greenpeace but also the broader environmental movement and future protests against oil and pipeline operations across the country.
