Greenpeace USA battles $300M lawsuit from energy giant
The American branch of Greenpeace is facing a major crisis. The cause is a lawsuit filed against the organization by Energy Transfer Partners. The corporation is demanding $300 million in damages from climate activists.
Since its founding in 1971, Greenpeace's mission has been to fight for the environment. Over decades of operations, this non-governmental organization has grown so large that it has local offices in more than 55 countries. Wherever there is a risk to nature, Greenpeace activists appear. It was similar in 2016, when activists gathered in North Dakota at the construction site of Energy Transfer.
The aforementioned corporation is owned by Kelcy Warren, an American businessman and billionaire, a leader in the oil industry in the USA. His company was constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline. This pipeline connects North Dakota with the Gulf of Mexico, crossing the entire United States, and its value is estimated at $3.8 billion. Such a huge investment met opposition from environmental organizations and the indigenous people of North America.
Greenpeace USA facing a crisis
The main argument against the pipeline's construction was the consequences of a potential oil spill. The result of such a catastrophe could be the contamination of the Missouri River, which, along with the Mississippi, constitutes the longest river system in North America, with a length of about 3,710 miles. Native Americans and environmental organizations, including Greenpeace expressed the opposition to the construction. The tribes feared not only water contamination but also the contamination of their sacred land. The peak of the protests was in September 2016. During the demonstrations, there were clashes with the police and security. Several thousand people participated in the riots, with about 700 being detained.
The administration of Barack Obama halted the construction of the pipeline. Work resumed at the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency. The pipeline has been operational since June 2017, and the president of Energy Transfer Partners became famous for generously supporting the Republican candidate's campaign. According to Politico, the billionaire donated about $5 million to Trump’s campaign.
$300 million haunts Greenpeace
Warren wants to take revenge on the activists for the protests in 2016. He demands $300 million in compensation from Greenpeace. He claims that the demonstrations delayed the construction of the pipeline and exposed the company to multimillion-dollar losses. The American branch of Greenpeace is preparing for the worst-case scenario, even bankruptcy. Mediation regarding settlement between the conflicting parties is ongoing.
Greenpeace calls the lawsuit "groundless", adding that it is "an attack on freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest." In turn, Energy Transfer responds that it supports Americans' right to legally protest and express their opinions. "However, when this happens illegally, we must fight for justice," the corporation explains.
A victory for the oil baron could mean disaster for the American branch of Greenpeace, but it will not destroy structures worldwide. The main body of the organization in the Netherlands does not own assets of Greenpeace in the USA.
