Drummond lauds court’s decision to return Inola smelter case to state court

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 3, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond lauded a federal court’s decision today to send his lawsuit over the proposed Inola aluminum smelter back to Rogers County District Court.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma ordered the case back to state court, noting that the defendants failed to establish substantial federal question jurisdiction. The federal court’s order is final and cannot be appealed. Drummond filed a motion to remand last month.

“This case belongs in Oklahoma state court under Oklahoma law,” Drummond said. “I will continue to fight for the people of Inola and for what is in the best interests of all Oklahomans.”

Drummond initially filed a petition in June to stop development of Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, a massive proposed smelter near Inola. Drummond’s lawsuit seeks to protect the health of area residents, livestock and natural resources from the threatened public nuisance posed by the project.

Read the order.