Judge Orders Greenpeace to Pay $345 Million in Dakota Access Pipeline Protest Case

The long-running legal battle between Greenpeace and Energy Transfer over the 2016-2017 pipeline protests reaches a new milestone.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A North Dakota judge has said he will order several Greenpeace entities to pay $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The ruling comes after a 2025 jury verdict that found Greenpeace liable for defamation, conspiracy, trespass, and other claims related to the high-profile protests against the pipeline's construction. Greenpeace has said it cannot afford the massive judgment and plans to appeal the decision.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental activism and the energy industry, with Energy Transfer arguing that Greenpeace's actions went beyond lawful protest. The ruling, if upheld, could set a precedent for how courts handle disputes between corporations and advocacy groups over major infrastructure projects.

The details

In 2025, a jury found Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and Greenpeace Fund Inc. liable for a range of claims brought by Energy Transfer and its Dakota Access subsidiary. The jury originally awarded $666.9 million in damages, but a judge later reduced that to $345 million. Greenpeace has said it lacks the resources to pay such a massive judgment and that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence its activism.

  • In 2016 and 2017, thousands of people demonstrated and camped near the Dakota Access pipeline's Missouri River crossing, protesting the project.
  • In March 2025, a jury in North Dakota found the Greenpeace entities liable for defamation and other claims related to the pipeline protests.
  • On February 26, 2026, the judge said he will sign an order requiring Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer.

The players

Greenpeace International

An international non-profit environmental organization known for its high-profile protests and advocacy campaigns.

Greenpeace USA

The American branch of Greenpeace, which was found liable on all counts in the lawsuit brought by Energy Transfer.

Greenpeace Fund Inc.

The fundraising arm of Greenpeace, which was found liable for some of the claims in the lawsuit.

Energy Transfer

A Dallas-based energy company that owns the Dakota Access oil pipeline, which was the target of the high-profile protests in 2016-2017.

Judge James Gion

The North Dakota judge who said he will order Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer.

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What they’re saying

“As mid-sized nonprofits, it has always been clear that we would not have the ability to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.”

— Marco Simons, Greenpeace USA interim general counsel

“These claims never should have reached a jury, and there are many possible legal grounds for appeal – including a lack of evidence to support key findings and valid concerns about the possibility of ensuring fairness.”

— Marco Simons, Greenpeace USA interim general counsel

What’s next

Greenpeace plans to appeal the judge's order to the North Dakota Supreme Court, arguing that the original claims should not have reached a jury and that there are grounds to overturn the massive damages award.

The takeaway

This case highlights the high-stakes legal battles that can arise when environmental advocacy groups clash with major corporations over infrastructure projects. The ruling, if upheld, could embolden other companies to pursue similar lawsuits against activist organizations, raising concerns about the potential chilling effect on free speech and protest rights.