Rogers County, OK – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is pressing for greater transparency on the proposed aluminum smelter in Inola. On November 9, Drummond filed a court‑ordered discovery motion that, if granted, would require the two companies behind the project – Century Aluminum Company and Aluminum Oklahoma – to answer sworn questions and produce documents related to ownership, financing, emissions, permits and any communications with public officials.
What the discovery request seeks
The motion asks the defendants to:
- Admit or deny statements about the project’s ownership, financing, emissions and contacts.
- Answer questions under oath.
- Produce documents such as ownership and funding records, permit materials, emissions studies, contracts, communications with public officials, and records about the plant’s construction and operation.
Federal partnership and funding
According to court filings, the Inola smelter is part of a government‑to‑government strategic partnership announced in Abu Dhabi in May 2025. Emirates Global Aluminum is slated to own sixty percent of the venture, which has already been awarded up to $500 million in federal funds and $255 million in incentives from the State of Oklahoma.
Allegations involving former senior adviser Jared Kushner
Drummond’s request references an excerpt from journalist Matthew Cole’s upcoming book, Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed’s Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East. Cole alleges that surveillance by the Netherlands’ defense service revealed that the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia funneled $2 billion into Kushner’s bank accounts, allegedly in exchange for Kushner advancing Emirati interests in the United States while serving as a senior adviser to President Trump.
Drummond makes clear that these are allegations, not proven findings, and that the State will treat them as such. He wrote, “If any public official or member of a public official’s family holds an interest in, or stands to benefit from, the Emirati investment behind the Inola smelter, that fact bears squarely on issues that are a part of this case.” The discovery request specifically asks the companies to disclose any communications or agreements with Kushner and his investment firm.
Environmental and sovereignty concerns
Beyond the potential political connections, Drummond has previously voiced worries that the project is effectively owned by a foreign government and could pose pollution risks to the local environment. The discovery motion is the latest step in his effort to halt the smelter’s progression until these concerns are fully addressed.
What’s next?
The court will consider the motion in the coming weeks. If approved, the companies will be compelled to provide the requested information, giving Oklahoma officials and the public a clearer picture of who stands to benefit from the Inola smelter and what environmental safeguards are in place.
State officials say the outcome will help ensure that any federal or state incentives are used responsibly and that Oklahoma’s natural resources are protected for future generations.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
