In a significant ruling on March 19, 2025, a North Dakota jury awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to Energy Transfer, a Texas-based pipeline company, in its lawsuit against Greenpeace. The case stems from protests nearly a decade ago related to the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. This verdict marks a considerable defeat for Greenpeace, which argued that its involvement in the demonstrations was minimal and characterized the lawsuit as an effort to silence environmental advocates.
**Greenpeace Faces Major Legal Setback as Jury Awards Millions to Energy Transfer**
**Greenpeace Faces Major Legal Setback as Jury Awards Millions to Energy Transfer**
A North Dakota jury rules in favor of the pipeline company in a lawsuit linked to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline that occurred years ago.
The jury reached its decision after about two days of deliberation at the Morton County courthouse in Mandan, located approximately 45 minutes from the protest site. Energy Transfer's co-founder and chairman, Kelcy Warren, who has voiced strong opposition to the protests, asserted during the trial that activists had propagated "a total false narrative" surrounding his company. “We’ve got to stand up for ourselves,” Warren stated, emphasizing the need to "fight back" against criticisms.
The Dakota Access Pipeline protests from 2016 to 2017 gained national attention, drawing thousands of demonstrators to lengthy encampments, primarily led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. As one of the largest pipeline operators in the U.S., Energy Transfer has frequently been at the center of controversies surrounding its environmental impact and labor practices. With the verdict against Greenpeace, the organization now faces potential financial challenges that could threaten its operations moving forward.
The Dakota Access Pipeline protests from 2016 to 2017 gained national attention, drawing thousands of demonstrators to lengthy encampments, primarily led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. As one of the largest pipeline operators in the U.S., Energy Transfer has frequently been at the center of controversies surrounding its environmental impact and labor practices. With the verdict against Greenpeace, the organization now faces potential financial challenges that could threaten its operations moving forward.
