Dakota Access Developer's Suit Is Baseless, Environmentalists Say

BISMARCK, ND — Environmental groups Greenpeace and BankTrack are asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit against them filed by Energy Transfer Partners, the developer of the Dakota Access pipeline.

The environmentalists said in court records they oppose the $3.8 billion project to move North Dakota oil to Illinois and that their stance is protected free speech — not an unlawful move to undermine the developer.

Energy Transfer Partners filed a lawsuit in August against Greenpeace, BankTrack and Earth First accusing the groups of spreading false and misleading information about the Dakota Access project. ETP also accused the groups of interfering with the company's construction and damaged the ETP's reputation and finances through illegal acts.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in North Dakota cites "a pattern of criminal activity and a campaign of misinformation for purposes of increasing donations and advancing their political or business agendas," and seeks damages that could approach $1 billion.

Attorneys for Greenpeace and BankTrack in court documents filed Tuesday argue that the lawsuit is without merit and an attack on free speech.

"Greenpeace's political advocacy criticizing Energy Transfer's practices is within the core of First Amendment protection," the attorneys wrote.

In the lawsuit, ETP levies numerous accusations against what it describes as a vast network of co-conspiring groups and people that committed crimes to further their agendas.

Greenpeace attorneys argue in their response that many of the lawsuit's examples of allegedly defamatory statements were made by groups not being sued, and that Greenpeace only released factual statements aimed at "swaying public opinion."

"Energy Transfer is quite literally trying to transform First Amendment-guaranteed associational rights into criminal affiliations," Greenpeace said.

BankTrack attorneys echoed Greenpeace's arguments, calling ETP's claims frivolous. Earth First has not yet responded to the lawsuit, and the company has not replied to Associated Press requests for comment.

In reference to its filing of the lawsuit, ETP has told the AP that it has an obligation to its shareholders, partners and stakeholders.

The 1,200-mile pipeline began operating June 1, after months of delays caused by legal wrangling and on-the-ground protests. Police made 761 arrests in North Dakota between August and February. Four American Indian tribes in the Dakotas are continuing to fight the project in federal court, hoping a federal judge in Washington, D.C., will shut down the line.

By BLAKE NICHOLSON, Associated Press

Photo credit: Alex Wong / Getty Images