Jury Deliberates in $300 Million Energy Transfer Lawsuit Against Greenpeace

The case could set significant precedents for free speech, environmental activism, and corporate accountability in the United States.

Energy Transfer is suing Greenpeace for $300 million, alleging defamation, trespass, and financial harm linked to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Greenpeace argues the lawsuit is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) intended to suppress dissent and free speech rights.
The trial, held in North Dakota, follows the dismissal of a related federal case in 2019 and has lasted three weeks, with jury deliberations beginning on March 17, 2025.
Energy Transfer claims Greenpeace's actions delayed the pipeline's completion by five months and led to the withdrawal of financial support from banks, causing significant losses.
Greenpeace has countersued Energy Transfer in the Netherlands under anti-SLAPP laws, seeking damages and reimbursement for legal costs.