Reminder: Department of Environmental Quality to Hold Permit Process Meeting Regarding Proposed Aluminum Smelter

For Immediate Release

Contact: Skylar McElhaney, skylar.mcelhaney@deq.ok.gov

This is a follow-up to the news release dated March 30, 2026, to remind the public of an opportunity to learn more about the agency’s permitting process related to an air quality construction permit for the proposed aluminum smelter in Inola. A public process meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, Inola High School, 801 E Commercial St., Inola, OK 74036.

During the meeting, DEQ representatives will provide an overview of the agency’s air quality permitting process, explain how the public can participate and submit comments during future public comment periods, and answer questions about the permitting process. This meeting will focus specifically on DEQ’s air quality permitting process. Oklahoma Primary Aluminum representatives will not be present, allowing DEQ to focus solely on its permitting process. Additional opportunities will be scheduled in the future to discuss technical aspects of the permit application submitted by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum.  

DEQ encourages community members to stay informed and actively participate in the permitting process. The air quality construction permit for this project can be viewed at the Inola Public Library, 15 N Broadway Ave., Inola OK 74036, or at DEQ’s Oklahoma City office. DEQ has also created a website application to make available the permit, status, and supporting documentation on the agency’s website at  https://applications.deq.ok.gov/PermitsPublicReview/viewpermits.aspx.

At this time, DEQ has received only the air quality construction permit application for this project. Additional DEQ permits will likely be required for the facility and will be made available once received.

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