MANDAN, ND (May 15, 2025) — In the first hearing since the trial concluded in Energy Transfer’s bullying lawsuit against Greenpeace Inc., Greenpeace Fund, and Greenpeace International, the defendants argued to reduce the more than $660 million damages awarded to Energy Transfer. Arguments included the fact that damages awarded exceed what is allowed by the law and bear no reasonable relationship to Energy Transfer’s alleged damages.
Deepa Padmanabha, Senior Legal Advisor, Greenpeace USA, said: “Our fight is far from over. Today’s hearing was another step in this important legal battle to protect the rights to protest and free speech, especially as we are witnessing unprecedented attacks on these rights. As we await the Court’s decision on our motion to reduce the damages award, we will continue to fight back against all attempts to silence and intimidate those speaking truth to power.”
Kristin Casper, General Counsel, Greenpeace International, said: “While the Court reserved its ruling on today’s motions and did not enter a final judgment, we presented compelling arguments to reduce the perverse damages the jury awarded. Regardless of the outcome, Greenpeace International is committed to exhausting all legal avenues to challenge and overturn any outcome that violates our rights.”
The next hearing on May 27, 2025 will address renewed requests by Greenpeace defendants for the Court to rule in their favor — despite the jury reaching a different conclusion — because the evidence presented at trial was legally insufficient to rule in Energy Transfer’s favor. Other post-trial matters could also be raised and argued at the upcoming hearing.
Contact: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected]
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
