Greenpeace Faces $345M Lawsuit Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

Environmental group vows to appeal judge's ruling in long-running legal battle with energy company.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Greenpeace is embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle in North Dakota, where a judge has ordered the environmental group to pay an expected $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access oil pipeline. A jury previously awarded Energy Transfer over $660 million, but the judge cut the amount nearly in half. Both sides are expected to appeal the ruling to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tensions between environmental activism and the energy industry, as well as the legal risks that advocacy groups can face when challenging major infrastructure projects. The massive damages award threatens Greenpeace's financial viability and could have a chilling effect on future environmental protests.

The details

In 2016 and 2017, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their supporters, including Greenpeace, protested the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, arguing it threatened their water supply. The protests drew thousands of people to the area and resulted in hundreds of arrests. Energy Transfer, the pipeline's owner, sued Greenpeace, accusing the group of exploiting the issue to promote its agenda, paying professional protesters, and providing intelligence on the pipeline route. While Greenpeace denies these claims, a jury found the group liable on all counts, including defamation, conspiracy, trespass, nuisance, and tortious interference.

  • The protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline took place in 2016 and 2017.
  • The jury verdict against Greenpeace was delivered in 2022.
  • The judge's order to pay $345 million in damages was issued in February 2026.

The players

Greenpeace International

A global network of independent campaigning organizations that uses peaceful protest and creative confrontation to expose environmental problems and promote solutions.

Greenpeace USA

The U.S. branch of the Greenpeace organization.

Greenpeace Fund Inc.

The funding arm of the Greenpeace organization.

Energy Transfer

A $64 billion, Dallas-based energy conglomerate that owns and operates thousands of miles of pipelines in 44 states, including the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Judge James Gion

The North Dakota judge who ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer.

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What they’re saying

“We will be requesting a new trial and, failing that, will appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court of North Dakota, where Greenpeace International and the US Greenpeace entities have solid arguments for the dismissal of all legal claims against us.”

— Kristin Casper, Greenpeace International General Counsel

“Greenpeace exploited what would have been a small, disorganized, local issue to promote its agenda. They are master manipulators and deceptive to the core.”

— Trey Cox, Attorney for Energy Transfer

What’s next

Greenpeace plans to request a new trial and, if that fails, appeal the judgment to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the legal risks that environmental advocacy groups can face when challenging major infrastructure projects, as well as the growing tensions between the energy industry and the environmental movement. The massive damages award threatens Greenpeace's financial viability and could have a chilling effect on future protests.