A proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter to be located at Inola has picked up more Oklahoma legislators who oppose the project.
Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, signed Tuesday onto one of the two resolutions filed in the House and Senate in opposition to the project that received state incentives for construction of what would be the nation’s first aluminum smelter in half a century. He signed as a co-author of SR 45.
The resolution was originally authored by Sen. Julie McIntosh, R-Porter, who was joined by four other senators identified as co-authors: Sens. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman; Randy Grellner, R-Cushing; Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard; and Dana Prieto, R-Tulsa.
In the House, Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola was a principal author of HR1053 and three co-authors signed onto the resolution: Reps. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle; Jim Shaw, R-Chandler; and Rick West, R-Heavener.
However, HR 1053 and SR 45 have not received votes in either house.
The resolutions stated, “
WHEREAS, The proposed Inola aluminum smelter would constitute one of the largest industrial developments ever proposed in this region and is expected to create significant long-term impacts on Oklahoma and neighboring states; and
WHEREAS, This project raises substantial concerns regarding
potential emissions of fluorides, particulate matter, sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other smelting-related byproducts that may affect public health, property use, agriculture, and quality of life.”
WHEREAS, This project raises substantial concerns regarding
potential emissions of fluorides, particulate matter, sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other smelting-related byproducts that may affect public health, property use, agriculture, and quality of life.”
Opposition has grown including the creation of a “Stop the Inola Smelter” group which lobbied legislators last month at the capitol. The group has reportedly obtained more than 1,600 followers on social media as well as about 2,000 signatures on petitions opposing the plant.
The legislative resolutions, if adopted, would declare opposition to advancement of the proposed Inola aluminum smelter project unless and until “all environmental, agricultural, infrastructure, public safety and fiscal concerns are independently studied and publicly addressed to the satisfaction of affected local communities.”
The resolutions also recommend that no public support be endorsed unless there is a complete public accounting of all incentives, abatements, grants, TIF districts, state and federal subsidies and utility subsidies by all participating public entities associated with the public.