A print copy of the Central ND News, a conservative and pro-fossil fuel publication with unclear origins, was sent to some Mandan residents this fall. Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace has voiced concerns the mailer could influence jurors in its legal battle with pipeline company Energy Transfer. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)
(Mary Steurer – North Dakota Monitor) – A judge has denied a request by environmental group Greenpeace to gather evidence on a right-wing, pro-fossil fuel mailer that may have targeted potential jurors in its legal battle with Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Some Morton County residents in October reported receiving a 12-page direct mailer called “Central ND News” containing material complimentary of Energy Transfer as well as stories that highlighted criminal activity by anti-Dakota Access Pipeline protesters.
Greenpeace is one of many activist groups that backed the demonstrations in 2016 and 2017. Protesters camped in rural south-central North Dakota for months in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which says the pipeline is a tribal sovereignty and environmental threat.
Energy Transfer filed suit against Greenpeace in Morton County District Court in 2019, accusing the group of coordinating a misinformation campaign against the company and of engaging in criminal acts during the demonstrations.
The pipeline developer seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages from Greenpeace
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
