By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
INOLA, Okla. — Inola city councilors approved the formation of a new community committee Monday following discussion.
The committee, called Inola Community Accountability Review and Engagement (ICARE), was created by the Stop the Inola Smelter group. Its goal is to address community concerns about activity at the port, with a focus on the proposed aluminum smelter.
“This is what we needed to keep moving this momentum forward and start handling solutions to all these problems that we have,” said Beth Richards. “And we finally have the approval.”
Following the vote, residents spoke during public comment about the possibility of a moratorium on the smelter.
Tulsa attorney Trevor Hensen said he was asked by Inola residents to help draft a proposal that would delay the project.
“The proposal that we have drafted puts a six-month moratorium in place,” Hensen said. “The smelter could seek a permit, and the city would be able to approve or disapprove that permit depending on what is submitted and what is ultimately approved by DEQ or other administrative bodies.”
Hensen added that the city council has the authority to determine whether the project can be done safely and to protect its residents.
A representative from Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office also spoke, saying both the governor and the president of the united states support bringing the smelter to Inola.
“The governor wants Oklahoma to be first in line on this strategic development in helping the country,” the representative said. “This community could be at the center of something that matters beyond just your area.”
Several residents voiced continued concerns about the aluminum smelter and argued a moratorium is necessary.
City councilors said the moratorium will be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting.
In the meantime, residents in the Inola Public Schools district can submit resumes to the city council if they are interested in serving on the ICARE committee.
A representative with Commerce sent the following statement:
“The aluminum facility in Inola is the largest single-project investment in Oklahoma history. It will create 1,000 direct jobs for Oklahomans, support more than 3,300 downstream jobs and generate an estimated $26.3 billion GDP impact. It is crucial for national defense because it reduces reliance on imports from foreign countries such as China by strengthening domestic supply chains and onshoring critical mineral manufacturing here in Oklahoma. As with every project, the facility must comply with and is expected to exceed all applicable state and federal environmental laws, regulations and standards. We fully support this investment and the generational economic impact it will have on Oklahoma.”
