U.S. court dismisses Energy Transfer Partners lawsuit against Greenpeace

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A federal court in North Dakota has dismissed a lawsuit from Energy Transfer Partners LP against environmental group Greenpeace, according to a court order on Thursday.

ETP had sued Greenpeace and other environmental groups in 2017, accusing them of racketeering and defamation with the aim of blocking the Dakota Access Pipeline. In the lawsuit, ETP argued that the environmental groups' actions and negative publicity against it, its sister company Energy Transfer Equity LP and other firms caused billions of dollars in damages.

The Dakota Access Pipeline became one of the most bitterly contested energy projects in years as environmental activists and Native American tribes had tried to block the pipeline during a months-long standoff with authorities in North Dakota in 2016.

ETP said it was disappointed by the court order and said it intends to pursue its claims in the “appropriate venue,” without giving further details.

-snip-

ENVIRONMENT FEBRUARY 14, 2019 / 8:13 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-energy-transfer-lawsuit-greenpeace/u-s-court-dismisses-energy-transfer-partners-lawsuit-against-greenpeace-idUSKCN1Q403T

[JudyM]

1. Love this - like a valentines gift to Greenpeace and its supporters.

[rwsanders]

3. A gift to free speech, the suit was effectively trying to forever pre-empt protests by labelling...

them as "racketeering".

[2naSalit]

2. Good!

[LiberalLovinLug]

4. A win for the good guys!

Link to the Greenpeace website story:

https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/press-release/7538/u-s-federal-court-dismisses-900-million-pipeline-company-lawsuit-against-greenpeace/

“Justice has been served. This is a huge victory not just for Greenpeace but for anyone and everyone who has ever stood up against powerful corporate interests. Today’s decision to dismiss Energy Transfer’s baseless lawsuit against Greenpeace and others sends a clear message to companies trying to muzzle civil society that corporate overreach will not be tolerated. It is also a check on corporate efforts to silence dissent.

“We are confident that this decision will set a precedent that deters Energy Transfer and other corporations from abusing the legal system in their quest to bully those who speak truth to power. Greenpeace will continue to fight for the ability of all people to advocate for human rights and the planet.”