A multibillion-dollar project promises a cleaner future – its track record tells a more complicated story
The planned construction of a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma is being framed as a breakthrough: the first facility of its kind in the US in nearly half a century, bringing jobs, investment and cutting-edge technology. Yet one of the project’s key players, Century Aluminum, arrives with a record shaped by environmental violations, regulatory fines and litigation. Taken together, the past does not sit quietly alongside the narrative of a cleaner future.
In 2023, residents living near one of the company’s plants in South Carolina filed a lawsuit alleging that emissions from the facility caused health issues, including headaches and nosebleeds. According to court filings, pollution levels had been rising for months before the situation escalated in September, when the plant’s emissions control system experienced multiple failures. The result was the release of what was described as a “significant amount” of chemical dust into surrounding communities, with residents reporting a range of symptoms shortly thereafter.
The company denied wrongdoing but agreed in 2025 to pay more than $940,000 to 719 property owners to settle the case. Separately, South Carolina’s environmental regulator fined the company more than $360,000 for air pollution violations over several years and for failing to submit required inspection reports. The South Carolina case was not isolated. Data from Kentucky regulators show that Century Aluminum has received roughly 30 notices of violation over the past 12 years, covering exceedances of emissions limits, improper handling of hazardous waste, deficiencies in emergency response planning, as well as issues related to monitoring, testing and water quality. Some of those violations resulted in civil penalties.
Company representatives have consistently framed past incidents as technical rather than systemic. Chris Goddard, responsible for global environmental policy and compliance, said the South Carolina issues were caused by premature equipment failure and were addressed promptly. Project spokesperson China Pazzo said violations in Kentucky and South Carolina had been resolved and that the company has implemented “preventive measures” to avoid similar incidents in the future.
For the Oklahoma project, the company is leaning heavily on the promise of upgraded technology. Executives say the new smelter will incorporate lessons learned from earlier operations and feature systems designed for early detection of potential issues. The facility is also expected to use technology developed by Emirates Global Aluminum, described as among the most advanced and efficient globally. The company says the plant will consume less electricity and will be equipped with continuous emissions monitoring and modern ventilation systems.
In January, Century Aluminum announced a partnership with Emirates Global Aluminum to develop the Oklahoma Primary Aluminum project, with ownership split 40% to the US company and 60% to its partner from the United Arab Emirates. The facility is planned for the Port of Inola, near Tulsa.
State officials have strongly backed the project, citing economic benefits. The development is expected to create around 1,000 permanent jobs and up to 4,000 construction jobs, with projected tax revenues exceeding $1 billion over 30 years. The aluminum produced is intended for use in automotive manufacturing, energy infrastructure and construction.
Despite the economic case, the project has drawn growing opposition from residents in Inola. At a public meeting on March 26, held at a local high school arts center, community members pressed company representatives with questions, some wearing shirts reading “Stop the Inola Smelter.” Resident Sarah Free, who lives within a mile of the proposed site, asked whether company representatives would personally be willing to live nearby, citing concerns about air quality given her child’s asthma. A company representative said he would have no hesitation living next to the facility, even with a young child, before referring further questions to media relations staff.
Residents also sought specifics about the technology and contractors involved in the project. According to local resident Matt Peters, company representatives said it was too early to provide detailed answers. “They’re making claims they can’t verify,” he said.
The project has secured significant public backing. In 2024, the US Department of Energy awarded a $500 million grant to support construction of a lower-emissions facility. In 2025, Donald Trump announced a broader partnership with the United Arab Emirates that included plans for the smelter. Oklahoma officials developed a dedicated incentive program to attract large-scale manufacturing projects. If certain benchmarks are met, including job creation targets, the project could receive about $255 million in state incentives, along with additional tax credits and property tax abatements. The city of Inola also established a tax increment financing district in 2025 to support the development.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality said the project has applied for an air emissions permit for the construction phase. An environmental and social impact assessment is also being conducted, though it is not mandatory. Further details are expected to be presented at a public meeting on April 23. Company materials state that the project will comply with federal and state regulations designed to protect people, livestock and the environment.
The proposed facility is expected to double primary aluminum production in the US, with construction slated to begin later this year. A third company, US Aluminum Company, has said it is considering building a downstream manufacturing facility adjacent to the smelter.
The project continues to move forward with strong institutional support and substantial financial backing, as companies emphasize technology, compliance and lessons learned from past operations, while residents continue to press for clarity and details that, for now, remain in shorter supply than assurances.