Rep. Gann applauds Inola trustees’ unanimous vote to extend smelter moratorium

Gann Applauds Inola Trustees’ Unanimous Vote to Extend Smelter Moratorium

INOLA, OKLAHOMA (Sept. 15th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today praised the Inola Board of Trustees for unanimously extending the town’s moratorium concerning the proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter through April 7, 2027.

Gann said the vote represents an important exercise of local self-government and protects the right of Inola citizens to help determine the future of their own community.

“This unanimous vote sends a clear message that Inola is not merely a location on somebody else’s economic-development map,” Gann said. “Inola is a community of citizens with the right to determine what kind of industrial development it will permit and what risks its people are willing to bear.”

The proposed primary aluminum smelter would be one of the largest industrial projects in Oklahoma history. Gann said a project of that size warrants independent examination of its potential effects on air quality, water resources, agriculture, livestock, transportation, public infrastructure, nearby homes and the long-term character of the community.

“Extending the moratorium is not obstruction, and it is not opposition to legitimate economic development,” Gann said. “It is responsible local government. It prevents irreversible actions while the town considers whether a primary aluminum smelter should remain within Inola’s existing heavy-industrial zoning classification.”

The extension gives the town additional time to consider a proposed zoning ordinance that would remove aluminum smelting from the heavy-industrial classification. It also preserves time for the zoning question to be submitted to Inola voters. 

“Self-determination means the people who live with the consequences must have a meaningful voice before the decision becomes irreversible,” Gann said. “That decision should be made openly and locally—not dictated by state officials, outside corporations, foreign investors or economic-development agencies that will not live beside this facility.”

Gann said claims involving economic development or national security do not eliminate the need for local accountability, environmental review and public participation.

“America needs a secure domestic aluminum supply, but national security should mean diversified and resilient production—not concentrating enormous capacity in a single facility that could become a point of failure,” Gann said. “Those claims should be supported by evidence and enforceable commitments. They should never be used to silence local concerns or override the right of a community to govern itself.”

Gann thanked the trustees and Inola residents who participated in the public process.

“The citizens showed up, spoke clearly and defended their community,” Gann said. “The trustees listened and acted unanimously to preserve Inola’s ability to make this decision deliberately.  This is what representative government and local self determination are supposed to look like.”

Gann said the moratorium does not finally resolve every question surrounding the proposed smelter, but it ensures those questions cannot simply be bypassed.

“This vote protects the process, preserves the people’s voice and gives Inola additional time to decide its own future,” Gann said. “Tonight, Inola stood together.”

Tom Gann, a Republican, represents District 8 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of Mayes, Rogers and Wagoner counties.