Judge orders Greenpeace to pay $345m over Dakota Access pipeline protest

"In court papers filed Tuesday, Judge James Gion said he would sign an order requiring several Greenpeace entities to pay the judgment to pipeline company Energy Transfer. He set that amount at $345m last year in a decision that reduced a jury's damages by about half, but his latest filing did not specify a final amount."

"Last year, a nine-person jury found Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and funding arm Greenpeace Fund Inc liable for defamation and other claims brought by Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access. The jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts, including conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference."

"In a financial filing made late last year, Greenpeace USA said it does not have the money to pay the $404m ordered by the jury or to continue normal operations if the judgment is enforced."

A North Dakota judge has determined that Greenpeace entities must pay approximately $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer following protests against the Dakota Access pipeline in 2016-2017. A jury previously awarded $666.9 million in damages, which the judge reduced by half. Greenpeace USA, Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, and Greenpeace Fund Inc were found liable for defamation, conspiracy, trespass, nuisance, and tortious interference. The lawsuit stems from demonstrations near the pipeline's Missouri River crossing, which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposed as a threat to its water supply. Greenpeace USA stated it lacks sufficient funds to pay the judgment while maintaining operations. Both Energy Transfer and Greenpeace are expected to appeal the decision to the North Dakota supreme court.

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