05:24 AM EDT, 03/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Energy Transfer's ( ET ) response in the fourth paragraph.)

Energy Transfer ( ET ) was awarded $660 million in damages from Greenpeace following a North Dakota jury trial, the environmental group said Thursday.

Greenpeace said it will appeal the verdict in what it described as a "meritless" lawsuit by the Texas oil company.

The jury found Greenpeace liable for defamation and conspiracy stemming from its involvement in protests against a pipeline project years ago, news outlets reported.

Energy Transfer ( ET ) said in an email to MT Newswires that it was pleased with the verdict. "This win is also for the people of Mandan and throughout North Dakota who had to live through the daily harassment and disruptions caused by the protesters who were funded and trained by Greenpeace," said Vicki Granado, a spokesperson for the company. "It is also a win for all law-abiding Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and breaking the law."