Greenpeace International is pursuing legal action against the American pipeline company Energy Transfer in the Netherlands. This suit is based on accusations that Energy Transfer used legal action in North Dakota to intimidate the environmental group.
Energy Transfer previously filed lawsuits against multiple Greenpeace organizations following protests against its Dakota Access Pipeline a decade ago. After dismissing the racketeering claims in U.S. federal court, the company pursued the case in North Dakota state court. A trial resulted in a verdict awarding Energy Transfer $345 million, with Greenpeace International held responsible for $64 million of the sum.
Greenpeace International argues it played a minimal role in these events, merely signing a letter regarding the project. The group contends the American company’s legal actions are a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), aimed to silence opposition. Unlike North Dakota, Dutch law prohibits SLAPP lawsuits, prompting Greenpeace to file its countersuit there.
SLAPP lawsuits are designed to burden activists and media with costly legal proceedings, impeding their ability to voice dissent. While many U.S. states have measures to limit SLAPP suits, North Dakota lacks such protections. Greenpeace International hopes to leverage Dutch law to counter the actions of Energy Transfer.
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