INOLA, Okla. — Some Inola residents are raising concerns about a proposed aluminum smelter planned for the area, citing potential environmental and health risks.

“I don’t want to move, but I don’t want to live half a mile from a smelter plant either,” said Inola resident Dale Danker.

Danker organized the meeting on Friday night, bringing neighbors together to discuss the possible aluminum smelter that’s been proposed for the town.

“I feel like if not you, who? Who is willing to stand up and say, ‘hey, I’ll fight the fight?’ We have to start talking face to face to sort this out. At the very least, we’re going to see what the facts are and where this thing really stands.”

Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) have partnered to bring the smelting plant to Inola. The company said the facility would create about 1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs.

Once it’s operational, the plant is expected to produce 750,000 tons of aluminum per year.

However, some residents worry about the plant’s proximity to homes and prevailing wind patterns.

“The back of my property is north of it,” said Danker. “My friends live south of it and the winds blow north and south. When they say there hasn’t been a plant built in 50 years, there are reasons for it.”

Residents said their biggest concerns include environmental and health risks, particularly cancer.

“When you come down to it, it’s about transparency and accountability in your government. No one has told you anything or you wouldn’t be here tonight,” said Danker.

State Representative Tom Gann (R-Inola) attended the meeting and told residents the project isn’t a done deal.

He encouraged neighbors to take steps to raise concerns and bring the issue to the city’s attention.

Gann said, “The concern is whether Oklahoma taxpayers should be compelled financially to underwrite a foreign company enterprise when there are credible allegations about that government’s global conduct.”

Governor Stitt has previously said the State Department of Environmental Quality will be there every step of the way to make sure the company meets the standards for clean air, clean water and other environmental factors. 

To learn more about the proposed project, click here.