INOLA — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond was at Inola High School on Tuesday, telling residents about his opposition to a proposed smelting plant in town.
If approved, Inola could be the home of the largest aluminum production plant ever constructed in the United States, but AG Drummond recently filed a petition to block it. Drummond, who is running for governor, told Inola residents he plans on addressing this plant if elected.
“This is why you need to elect me governor,” he said to the crowd. “Because I will take this case from the attorney general and transfer it into the governor’s office, because other elected officials will not have my appetite for risk and challenge.”
The AG says primary aluminum smelting is extremely hazardous, consuming a significant amount of electricity, and it produces a lot of pollution.
The plant would also be majority-owned by a state-owned enterprise of the United Arab Emirates.
“There’s a reason they do this in the deserts of Abu Dhabi, because no one lives there,” Drummond said.
However, Governor Kevin Stitt disagrees and released a statement.
“As soon as President (Donald) Trump made his endorsement in the governor’s race, Attorney General Drummond dropped the act and showed his true colors. Now he is turning his machine against one of President Trump’s top priorities, once again weaponizing his office to settle scores instead of serving Oklahomans. President Trump’s aluminum project in Inola will rapidly grow Oklahoma’s economy and strengthen America’s supply chain for generations, while Drummond turns his back on our state in favor of cheap political gimmicks and personal gain,” Stitt said.
