Trump DOJ Intervenes in $6.9B Oklahoma Smelter Case for National Security
The Trump administration has become involved in a legal battle concerning a proposed $6.9 billion aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, asserting that the project is vital for national security. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a statement of interest on August 27, supporting Century Aluminum Company in its plans to construct the first new primary aluminum smelter in the United States in over forty years. This facility, located in Inola, Oklahoma, is projected to be the largest primary aluminum smelter in the country, more than doubling domestic production.
The DOJ contends that the project has a direct impact on both the economy and national security, urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, which seeks to block the project. Alternatively, the DOJ has requested that the case be put on hold until environmental permitting processes are completed.
The proposed smelter is designed to produce primary aluminum, which is essential for various applications, including infrastructure and military equipment. The Trump administration has warned that halting the project could undermine national security, particularly as China currently dominates global primary aluminum production, accounting for 59 percent of the market. The Oklahoma facility would significantly enhance U.S. production capabilities.
The Department of Energy has also provided Century Aluminum with up to $500 million to support the $6.9 billion project. Defense officials have emphasized the importance of aluminum from this facility for military applications, including aircraft, combat vehicles, and naval systems. They have expressed concerns that disruptions in aluminum supply could hinder the U.S. military's ability to produce essential equipment during conflicts.
In contrast, Oklahoma's attorney general has raised alarms about potential pollution from the smelter, claiming that the facility's air-quality permit could allow for significant emissions of hydrogen fluoride, which poses risks to nearby communities. Drummond's lawsuit, initially filed in state court, accuses Century of threatening public health and safety.
The state is advocating for the lawsuit to be heard in state court, arguing that its claims are based on state law. Meanwhile, the DOJ has urged the federal court to reject Oklahoma's request for a preliminary injunction that could halt the project. The ongoing legal battle now places a federal judge in the position of balancing environmental concerns against the federal government's push to advance the aluminum smelter project, which it views as critical to national security.
