INOLA, Okla. — Inola leaders are expected to hear more concerns from residents Monday night as the town continues discussions surrounding a proposed aluminum smelter planned for the Port of Inola.
The Inola Board of Trustees agenda includes several items related to the project, including a presentation from representatives with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality on the environmental permitting process for the proposed facility.
Trustees are also expected to discuss a proposed moratorium that would temporarily halt permits, approvals and development activity associated with the aluminum project and other industrial development within Inola’s heavy industrial district.
The discussion comes weeks after town leaders approved the creation of the Inola Community Action Response and Education Committee, or I-CARE, following requests from residents seeking more information about the proposed smelter and its potential impacts on air quality, water use and public health.
Residents opposed to the project have pushed for a moratorium while environmental reviews and permitting continue. Supporters of the project, including economic development leaders, have pointed to the possibility of new jobs and investment for the region.
Monday’s agenda also includes discussion of correspondence submitted by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, Tulsa Ports, the White House and other organizations regarding the project and the proposed moratorium.
Trustees could also enter an executive session with attorneys to discuss potential legal action related to the moratorium request and the proposed aluminum facility.
The proposed smelter would be built at the Port of Inola and is expected to become the first new primary aluminum smelter built in the United States in decades if approved.
Project developers say the facility could create hundreds of permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs while significantly increasing domestic aluminum production capacity.
The Inola Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Monday at the Inola High School Fine Arts Center.
