Energy transfer sues Greenpeace for $300M over pipeline protest
3:18 PM EDT, September 13, 2024
Energy Transfer Partners is demanding $300 million in damages from Greenpeace USA for alleged harm caused by the organization during protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This lawsuit could lead to the bankruptcy of the American branch of Greenpeace, reported "Rzeczpospolita".
Kelcy Warren, billionaire and president of Energy Transfer Partners, wants Greenpeace USA to pay for actions his company deemed harmful. Energy Transfer, which has extensive pipeline, terminal, and storage infrastructure, played a key role in the Dakota Access Pipeline project, valued at $3.8 billion.
Lawsuit for $300 million
The Dakota Access Pipeline was intended to transport oil from shale in North Dakota to Illinois and further to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico. This project met with fierce protests from environmentalists and indigenous people who feared threats to the environment and tribal lands. Greenpeace activists also took part in the protest, noted the report.
Energy Transfer claims that in 2016, Greenpeace activists deliberately acted to the detriment of the project by commissioning attacks on the pipeline and spreading false information about the company. As a result of the protests, project costs increased and its implementation was delayed.
The lawsuit, in which Warren is demanding $300 million in damages, could financially ruin Greenpeace USA.
The organization is preparing for various scenarios, including bankruptcy, in response to the lawsuit. However, discussions are ongoing about what kind of settlement would be acceptable to both sides. The details of the case have not been disclosed.
The lawsuit, in which Warren's company is demanding $300 million in damages from Greenpeace, could lead to the collapse of the organization, reports "WSJ". However, the newspaper cited by "Rzeczpospolita" emphasizes that the case does not threaten Greenpeace's international branches because the main body of the organization, based in the Netherlands, does not own assets in the USA.
Energy Transfer Partners initially tried to sue Greenpeace in federal court. Now, the company has refiled the lawsuit in state court after the federal court dismissed the initial proceedings.
