Judge to Order 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 Dakota Access pipeline protests is nearing a resolution.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A North Dakota judge has announced he will order Greenpeace to pay an expected $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access oil pipeline, over protests that took place nearly a decade ago. The judge's decision comes after a jury previously found Greenpeace liable for defamation and other claims, though the judge reduced the original $666.9 million judgment. Greenpeace has said it does not have the funds to pay such a large amount and plans to appeal the ruling.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental activism and the interests of the oil and gas industry. The massive damages award against Greenpeace is seen as an attempt to silence the group's criticism of fossil fuel projects, raising concerns about the chilling effect on free speech and protest rights. The case also underscores the financial risks faced by non-profit organizations that take on powerful corporate interests.

The details

In 2016 and 2017, thousands of people protested and camped near the Dakota Access pipeline's Missouri River crossing, with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposing the project as a threat to its water supply. Energy Transfer, the pipeline company, sued several Greenpeace entities, alleging they orchestrated plans to stop the pipeline's construction, including organizing protesters and making untrue statements. A jury previously found Greenpeace liable, though the judge reduced the original $666.9 million judgment to an expected $345 million. Greenpeace has said it does not have the funds to pay such a large amount and plans to appeal the ruling.

  • The protests against the Dakota Access pipeline took place in 2016 and 2017.
  • The jury reached its verdict finding Greenpeace liable last year.
  • The judge announced he will sign an order requiring Greenpeace to pay the $345 million judgment on February 25, 2026.

The players

Greenpeace International

An international non-profit environmental organization that was found liable in the lawsuit brought by Energy Transfer over the Dakota Access pipeline protests.

Greenpeace USA

The U.S. branch of Greenpeace that was also found liable in the lawsuit and faces the largest share of the $345 million judgment.

Greenpeace Fund Inc.

The funding arm of Greenpeace that was found liable for some of the claims brought by Energy Transfer.

Energy Transfer

The Dallas-based energy company that owns the Dakota Access pipeline and brought the lawsuit against Greenpeace.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The Native American tribe that opposed the Dakota Access pipeline as a threat to its water supply and was involved in the protests.

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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 (Associated Press)

“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 (Associated Press)

What’s next

Greenpeace plans to appeal the judge's order to the North Dakota Supreme Court, launching the next phase of the long-running legal battle.

The takeaway

This case underscores the high-stakes legal risks faced by environmental groups that challenge powerful corporate interests, as well as the ongoing tensions between the right to protest and the economic interests of the fossil fuel industry.