Greenpeace International is taking legal action under Dutch law against the American pipeline company, Energy Transfer. The basis of this lawsuit stems from a prior legal dispute in North Dakota, where Greenpeace alleges the company attempted to silence them with a costly lawsuit.
The Dutch court has allowed Greenpeace International to proceed with its countersuit. The environmental organization accuses Energy Transfer of using a prolonged legal battle as a tactic of intimidation.
Greenpeace International, headquartered in Amsterdam, is one of three Greenpeace branches initially sued by Energy Transfer following protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota a decade prior. The other two branches are located in the United States.
Energy Transfer first filed a racketeering lawsuit against the Greenpeace entities in U.S. federal court, which was dismissed. Subsequently, the company pursued the case in North Dakota state court and secured a significant verdict, totaling $345 million after a three-week trial.
Greenpeace International contends its only participation in the protests was the signing of a letter addressed to financiers about the pipeline project. Nevertheless, it was found liable for approximately $64 million due to charges of conspiracy, defamation, and tortious interference. The two other Greenpeace groups acknowledged participation in peaceful protests and were deemed liable for a more considerable portion of claims related to physical actions at the protests.
Before the trial in North Dakota concluded, Greenpeace International initiated a countersuit in the Netherlands. This action is based on Dutch laws designed to prevent SLAPP cases, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These laws are intended to safeguard the press and activists from powerful entities aiming to suppress dissent through expensive litigation. In the United States, numerous states have similar laws restricting SLAPP cases, but North Dakota does not.
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