Oklahoma AG Moves to Block Inola Aluminum Smelter Backed by UAE Firm
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a petition to halt the construction of the Oklahoma Primary Aluminum smelter in Inola, citing environmental and economic concerns. The proposed facility, if built, would become the largest aluminum production plant in the U.S., raising issues of pollution, electricity demand, and agricultural threats.
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Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General, has initiated legal actions to prevent the establishment of a heavy-industrial aluminum smelting complex in Inola, claiming it poses significant environmental risks. The facility, known as Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, is projected to produce over 750,000 metric tons of aluminum annually and is primarily backed by Emirates Global Aluminium, which holds a 60% stake.
The project is expected to consume more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity, potentially straining the regional grid and affecting local energy prices. Additionally, public funding for the smelter includes a $500 million grant from the U.S.
Department of Energy and a $255 million incentive package from the State of Oklahoma. Drummond emphasizes that the facility's emissions could adversely impact nearby communities and agriculture. The geopolitical implications of foreign investment in critical U.S. infrastructure raise concerns about national security and local economic stability.
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