"Judge slashed a $667m damages award to Energy Transfer over Greenpeace’s role in Dakota Access Pipeline protests"

"A North Dakota judge on Friday finalized a $345m judgment against Greenpeace in a lawsuit pursued by pipeline company Energy Transfer over the environmental group’s role in protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The final judgment by judge James Gion was in line with a decision he issued in October, in which he slashed by almost half a damages award of about $667m that a jury had awarded Energy Transfer in March.

Greenpeace in a statement said it would seek a new trial and, if necessary, appeal the decision to the North Dakota supreme court, calling the lawsuit “a blatant attempt to silence free speech”."

Nate Raymond reports for the Guardian February 27, 2026. [2]