World
Greenpeace Challenges $300 Million Lawsuit from Energy Transfer over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
Greenpeace faces a $300 million lawsuit from Energy Transfer over protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Explore the implications of this legal battle and the ongoing fight for environmental justice in the face of corporate interests.
The News
Greenpeace has recently announced an innovative strategy to combat a costly lawsuit initiated by an energy company, which the organization believes is an attempt to silence dissent against the oil industry. The lawsuit, originally filed in federal court back in 2017, accuses Greenpeace of inciting protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which took place near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota during 2016 and 2017. The energy company is seeking a staggering $300 million in damages.
In response, Greenpeace firmly disputes the allegations, asserting that the lawsuit is a strategic move aimed at financially crippling the environmental group through an extensive and expensive legal battle. The new approach, spearheaded by Greenpeace International based in Amsterdam, seeks to leverage the European legal framework to mitigate the financial repercussions that might arise from a potential loss in U.S. courts.
In a recent letter addressed to the suing company, Dallas-based Energy Transfer, Greenpeace’s legal team referenced a newly established European Union directive designed to combat SLAPP suits (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation). These types of lawsuits are characterized as frivolous and are intended to intimidate and silence civil society organizations.
The letter urged Energy Transfer to withdraw its lawsuit against Greenpeace International and suggested that the company should compensate Greenpeace for its legal expenses. Failure to comply could result in a countersuit under the new European regulations.
The Background
The conflict surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline emerged following its approval in 2016, sparking significant protests led by Native American tribes and environmental advocates. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe raised concerns that the pipeline infringed upon reservation land and posed a serious threat to the water supply. In a show of solidarity, thousands of supporters gathered for nearly eight months at a protest encampment near the reservation, while tribal leaders also initiated their own legal challenges against the project.