Department of Environmental Quality to Hold Permit Process Meeting About Proposed Aluminum Smelter
For Immediate Release: March 30, 2026
Contact: Skylar McElhaney, skylar.mcelhaney@deq.ok.gov
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an air quality construction permit from Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) for a proposed aluminum smelter facility in Inola. Agency staff have begun reviewing the application in accordance with the Uniform Environmental Permitting Act. As part of the permitting process, DEQ scheduled a public process meeting 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.
At the meeting, a DEQ representative will explain how the public can submit comments and be involved in the permitting process. A representative from EGA will also be available to provide information about the proposed facility and respond to questions from the public. While this meeting is intended solely to discuss the agency’s permitting process, there will be additional, future opportunities to discuss technical aspects of the permit application.
Public participation is an important component of the permitting process. DEQ encourages residents, local organizations, and other stakeholders to attend this and upcoming meetings, review available materials, and be actively engaged with 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. The status and supporting documentation of the permit application is also available for review on the DEQ website at https://applications.deq.ok.gov/PermitsPublicReview/viewpermits.aspx DEQ is working to make it a statutory requirement to maintain the availability of all permitting documents on the DEQ website through Senate Bill 1246.
Currently, DEQ has only received the air quality construction permit for this project. Additional DEQ permits may be required for the facility.
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