Dallas, TX (September 20, 2024) – In response to the explosion of an Energy Transfer pipeline on Monday – which caused a massive fire that injured at least four people – Greenpeace USA commissioned a billboard truck to call attention to the company’s safety record, as well as its attacks on free speech. The truck was parked near Energy Transfer’s headquarters in Dallas this afternoon, circling around Klyde Warren Park, and will head to the Texas Rangers game this evening at 8pm. Energy Transfer is the first jersey patch partner of the Texas Rangers – one of many recent sponsorship deals between major league sports teams and fossil fuel companies.
The ads are part of a campaign by Greenpeace and allies to raise awareness of the company’s attempt to use the legal system to intimidate and silence critics. Energy Transfer is currently suing Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International for $300 million in a case that threatens the rights to free speech and protest. The case goes to trial in North Dakota in February 2025, where Energy Transfer is seeking a judgment of $300 million – an amount that would functionally bankrupt Greenpeace USA.
Charlie Cray, Greenpeace USA Senior Political Strategist, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected. Energy Transfer seems to be more focused on trying to silence its critics rather than responding to people wanting answers to concerns about the dangerous explosion. This incident, and the company’s weak response, demonstrate that ET would rather attack environmentalists than invest in making their operations safe for communities and the planet – and this underscores the need to maintain our right to speak out against harms.”
In April 2018, Greenpeace USA published Oil and Water, an analysis of spills from Energy Transfer and subsidiary Sunoco’s pipeline network. The company had reported 527 hazardous liquids pipeline incidents to federal regulators. This is approximately one incident every eleven days. An additional 250 hazardous liquids pipeline incidents have been reported to PHMSA from an ET or Sunoco email address since that report was published. PHMSA hazardous liquids pipeline incident data does not yet include the La Porte explosion.
On September 24, environmental justice advocates will host a press conference (in English and Spanish) at Celebration of Life Park in Dallas, focusing on the company’s reckless environmental practices and impacts on communities. The event will also call attention to Energy Transfer’s use of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) cases against critics, such as the one Greenpeace is facing.
Alison Sterling, Senior Democracy Campaigner with Greenpeace USA, said: “The whole point of these types of SLAPP lawsuits is to limit freedom of expression and deter individuals and organizations from standing up to injustice. We are organizing in Dallas to tell Energy Transfer that our movement will not be stifled, bullied, or divided. No corporation should be allowed to sue a critic into silence.”
An open letter to Energy Transfer was signed by more than 300 organizations and community groups including Amnesty International, Public Citizen, and Texas Campaign for the Environment, and – as well as public figures including Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon, and Adam Mckay, plus tens of thousands of individuals.
###
Contact: Lindsay Bigda, Communications Director, Greenpeace USA, [email protected], +1 (207) 385-7924
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
