President Donald Trump’s plan for a major aluminum smelter in Oklahoma now faces another major test.
The proposed Trump Oklahoma aluminum smelter has gained support from Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Mazzei. However, strong opposition continues in Inola, the small Oklahoma community where developers want to build the facility.
Emirates Global Aluminium and Century Aluminum plan to invest about $4 billion in the project. The facility would produce up to 750,000 metric tons of aluminum each year.
Now, local voters will have a direct say over the project’s future.
Inola Extends Smelter Moratorium
The Inola City Council voted unanimously to extend its moratorium on smelter permits through April 2027.
The council also scheduled a referendum for April 7, 2027, when voters will decide whether primary aluminum smelting should proceed within the city limits.
The decision marks a major change for local officials.
For years, city leaders supported the industrial development. However, opposition grew this year as residents raised concerns about the proposed smelter and its environmental impact.
The council now controls a key part of the approval process because the project sits inside the Port of Inola industrial park.
Why the Oklahoma Smelter Matters
The proposed facility would become the largest primary aluminum plant in the United States.
It would also be the first new U.S. primary aluminum smelter since 1980. Developers say the project could more than double domestic primary aluminum production.
Century Aluminum says the plant could create about 4,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.
Aluminum is widely used in transportation, aerospace, defense and electrical infrastructure. The project therefore has attracted attention from both industry and federal officials.
The U.S. Department of Energy has also supported the project as part of efforts to strengthen domestic aluminum production.
Governor Race Put the Project in Focus
The smelter became a major issue during Oklahoma’s Republican primary for governor.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond opposed the project and filed a lawsuit seeking to block its development.
His opponent, former state Senator Mike Mazzei, changed his position after Trump endorsed him. Mazzei later won the August 25 runoff by roughly 2,000 votes, according to Reuters.
Trump also warned before the runoff that other locations could take the project if Oklahoma did not move forward.
As a result, the smelter became closely linked to the state’s political debate over industrial development and environmental concerns.
Drummond Lawsuit Remains in State Court
The legal battle adds another layer of uncertainty.
Drummond filed his lawsuit in state court in June. EGA and Century Aluminum later sought to move the case to federal court because of the project’s claimed importance to national security.
The U.S. Justice Department supported the project and opposed the lawsuit’s transfer arguments.
However, a federal judge ruled that the case should remain in state court. The lawsuit is continuing there.
Therefore, the referendum and court case could both shape the project’s next steps.
State Officials Consider Another Route
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has suggested that the industrial park could potentially move outside Inola’s city limits.
That move could remove the smelter from the city council’s jurisdiction.
However, the legal path remains unclear. Reuters reported that state law requires local approval for such a change.
For now, the project remains within Inola and faces the scheduled referendum.
Developers Promise Lower Emissions
The companies behind the project are also responding to environmental concerns.
EGA and Century Aluminum said they plan to reduce projected fluoride emissions from the smelter by 37%.
They also plan to release an economic impact study. The companies say they want to improve transparency and rebuild community trust.
However, they have criticized the referendum as premature while the legal case continues.
The companies argue that moving ahead with a vote before the appeals process ends could create financial and legal risks for the community.
What Happens Next?
The Trump Oklahoma aluminum smelter project now faces several important steps.
First, the state court will continue considering Drummond’s lawsuit. At the same time, Inola officials will maintain the permit moratorium.
Next, residents will prepare for the April 2027 referendum.
Meanwhile, EGA and Century Aluminum can continue engineering, planning and efforts to address environmental concerns. The companies had previously targeted the end of 2026 for construction to begin, subject to key project conditions.
The final outcome will depend on the legal proceedings, local decision-making and the developers’ ability to address community concerns.
For now, Trump’s Oklahoma aluminum project remains alive, but its path to construction is far from settled.
