A North Dakota judge has ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages after finding the environmental organization and related entities liable for defamation and other claims brought by Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based pipeline company, and its subsidiary Dakota Access. The amount represents a significant reduction from the original jury award of $667 million.
State District Judge James Gion reviewed requests from both parties before deciding on the new sum. Some of Greenpeace’s motions were granted while others were denied. The judge then recalculated the damages.
Energy Transfer responded to the decision with an intention to appeal. “We firmly believe that the original jury findings and damages awards for conspiracy and defamation are lawful and just,” the company stated.
The case relates to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline nearly ten years ago, specifically regarding its crossing of the Missouri River near land belonging to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The legal dispute is now expected to proceed to the North Dakota Supreme Court.
In March, a nine-person jury found Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and Greenpeace Fund Inc.—the group’s funding arm—liable for several claims filed by Energy Transfer. According to court records, Greenpeace USA was found liable on all counts including conspiracy, trespass, nuisance, and tortious interference with business relations; the other two organizations were found responsible for some but not all claims.
Damages were originally set at $666.9 million divided among these three organizations, each of which had announced plans to appeal following the initial verdict.
Greenpeace was accused by Energy Transfer of orchestrating a scheme aimed at halting construction of the pipeline. Attorneys representing Greenpeace argued there was no evidence supporting these allegations.
Following this verdict, lawyers for Greenpeace asked Judge Gion to reduce or overturn it in their favor while Energy Transfer requested entry of judgment according to what had been decided by jurors.
The lawsuit began in 2019 and went to trial earlier this year in Mandan’s state district court.
