Wed Mar 19 22:10:13 UTC 2025: ## Greenpeace Hit with $650 Million Defamation Verdict in Dakota Access Pipeline Case
**Mandan, North Dakota –** A North Dakota jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay Energy Transfer Partners over $650 million in damages for defamation and other claims related to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The nine-person jury found Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and the Greenpeace Fund Inc. liable for actions taken during 2016 and 2017 protests against the pipeline.
The lawsuit, filed by Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Dakota Access, accused Greenpeace of defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy, and other offenses. The plaintiffs argued that Greenpeace orchestrated and funded protests, providing supplies and training to activists, and made false statements about the pipeline project to halt its construction.
Greenpeace representatives countered that the lawsuit is an attack on free speech rights and that the organization had minimal involvement in the protests. They maintain that there is no evidence to support the claims of wrongdoing and have vowed to appeal the verdict. Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace’s senior legal advisor, stated, “We know that this fight is not over.”
Energy Transfer celebrated the verdict as a victory for residents of North Dakota, arguing that the protests caused significant disruption and harassment. The company emphasized the distinction between free speech and illegal activity.
The Dakota Access pipeline, which has been operational since mid-2017, has faced years of opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who cited concerns about its impact on their water supply. The case highlights the ongoing tension between environmental activism and energy development.
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