No Bayou Bridge Pipeline - Petition to Intervene

At a Glance

Date Filed: 

November 2017

Current Status 

The LSBPSE denied TigerSwan's license to operate in July 2017. After TigerSwan appealed the denial, CCR filed a petition to intervene in the appeal on behalf of a collection of local organizations. That petition to intervene was denied on March 29, 2018.

Co-Counsel 

Bill Quigley

Client(s) 

350 New Orleans
Atchafalaya Basinkeeper
Bold Louisiana
Gulf Restoration Network
L'eau Est La Vie (Water is Life) Camp
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association - West

Case Description 

Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), is now seeking to develop a 162-mile pipeline in Louisiana.

ETP contracts with private security corporations to handle public opposition to its pipeline operations. One of these companies is TigerSwan. Detailed investigative journalism has revealed how TigerSwan has engaged in military-style counter-insurgency operations, using public relations campaigns to disseminate pro-pipeline messaging, and deploying infiltrators into activist communities to gather intelligence.

After being retained by ETP, TigerSwan was denied a license to operate in North Dakota by the North Dakota Private Investigations Board. Later the Board sued TigerSwan for operating without a license in North Dakota.

TigerSwan is now seeking a license from the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners (LSBPSE) presumably to support ETP in its attempt to develop the Bayou Bridge Pipeline. TigerSwan's initial application was denied, and they are appealing that decision.

Local faith leaders, fishermen, conservationists, and advocates for environmental and social justice are aligned in opposition to TigerSwan’s application for a license and have petitioned to intervene in TigerSwan’s appeal. CCR is representing Louisiana groups that believe the company presents a serious threat to their safety and well-being and their ability to exercise their rights to free speech, assembly, and association.

Case Timeline

March 29, 2018
Louisiana state licensing board denies the petition to intervene
March 29, 2018
Louisiana state licensing board denies the petition to intervene
Petitioners' intervention denied.
March 27, 2018
Our reply to TigerSwan's opposition to our petition to intervene, including deposition of private security contractor
March 27, 2018
Our reply to TigerSwan's opposition to our petition to intervene, including deposition of private security contractor
Petitioners' Reply including exhibits.
November 9, 2017
We file petition to intervene
November 9, 2017
We file petition to intervene
CCR files petition to intervene in a hearing of the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners regarding the application of private security firm TigerSwan, on behalf of a number of local community and environmental rights organizations.