$600 Million for Speaking Out? Greenpeace vs. Energy Transfer

Imagine having to pay for something you did in elementary school—that’s how Greenpeace describes its recent legal battle. Nearly a decade after joining Indigenous tribe protests against the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), Greenpeace now faces a staggering $600 million fine. Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based company behind the pipeline construction, filed the suit. After a three-week trial, a North Dakota jury ruled in favor of Energy Transfer, finding that the environmental group engaged in defamation, trespassing, and financial sabotage (CNBC). However, this verdict has sparked global controversy. What began as a fight to protect water and sacred land has now spiraled into a landmark moment in environmental activism, raising questions about the limits of free speech and the right to protest (Guardian). 

Who is Greenpeace?

Founded in 1971, Greenpeace is a global NGO known for bold environmental campaigns. The organization has been instrumental in halting oil rigs, advocating for nuclear bans, and exposing illegal fishing. Notably, its advocacy helped lead to the ratification of the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. With regional branches in nearly 55 countries, Greenpeace is one of the world’s most influential climate organizations.

Back into the Pipeline: What Really Happened?

The conflict dates back to 2016 when the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe began protesting the proposed DAPL route, arguing it would threaten their sacred land and water supply. Thousands of supporters, including Greenpeace, joined the movement, bringing global attention to the issue (NPR). 

While most of these collaborative protests were peaceful, entanglement with law enforcement and instances of property damage blurred the line legally. Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace of spreading false information, encouraging vandalism, and causing "millions in financial losses" and the “dissemination of false information” (BBC). 

Greenpeace maintains that its actions are protected by the right to protest and freedom of assembly. The organization has called the lawsuit an undeniable SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). “We should all be concerned about the future of the First Amendment and lawsuits like these aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech,” says Greenpeace legal representative Deepa Padmanabha. “Greenpeace will continue to do its part to fight for the protection of these fundamental rights for everyone” (Greenpeace International).

What Comes Next? 

The $600 million fine could paralyze Greenpeace’s global operations, but the organization shows no signs of backing down. Greenpeace senior representative Kristin Casper remains firm: “Energy Transfer hasn’t heard the last of us in this fight. We’re just getting started with our anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer’s attacks on free speech and peaceful protest. We will not back down, we will not be silenced.” (NPR). For now, the world of climate justice watches closely, waiting to see how this battle over protests unfolds.

This article was originally published by The SFHS Spirit, Seoul Foreign School's official news magazine.

Works Cited

Brady, Jeff, and Alejandra Borunda. "Jury says Greenpeace owes hundreds of millions of dollars for Dakota pipeline protest." NPR, 19 Mar. 2025, www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5332364/north-dakota-greenpeace-defamation-oil-pipeline-standing-rock.

Greenpeace International. "Jury delivers verdict finding Greenpeace entities liable for more than US$660 million in Energy Transfer SLAPP trial." Greenpeace, 15 Mar. 2025, www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/73572/jury-delivers-verdict-finding-greenpeace-entities-liable-for-more-than-660-million-in-energy-transfer-slapp-trial/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Meredith, Sam. "Greenpeace ordered to pay more than $660 million over Dakota Access Pipeline protests." CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/03/20/greenpeace-ordered-to-pay-660-million-over-dakota-access-protests.html. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Yousef, Nadine. "Greenpeace ordered to pay more than $660m for defaming oil firm in protests." BBC, 20 Mar. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87121e0j4yo. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.