Oklahoma Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Mazzei Faces Skepticism Over Endorsement of Trump-Backed Aluminum Smelter
Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei is facing significant skepticism from Inola residents regarding his support for a large aluminum smelter project, which he publicly endorsed shortly before receiving President Trump's backing. The proposed smelter, a joint venture between United Arab Emirates-based Emirates Global Aluminium and Chicago-based Century Aluminum Company, is part of President Trump's initiative to revitalize U.S. aluminum production and enhance national security. While the project is projected to create approximately 1,000 direct jobs and thousands of construction jobs, local ranchers are concerned about potential fluoride pollution harming their hay and cattle. Long-term fluoride exposure is known to cause lameness and dental problems in animals. The facility has applied for a permit to emit up to 1.02 pounds of total fluoride per ton of aluminum, with a potential for 425 tons of fluoride emissions annually. This would make it the largest fluoride-emitting industrial plant in the na... 
