The U.S. Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division filed a statement of interest supporting the construction of a primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, amid a lawsuit by the Oklahoma Attorney General. The lawsuit alleges environmental violations under state nuisance laws, but the DOJ argues the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act provide the proper framework for addressing concerns. The department contends the lawsuit threatens national security by delaying construction of a facility critical to defense manufacturing. The smelter, set to be the first in the U.S. in over 40 years, would double domestic primary aluminum production and reduce emissions by 75% compared to traditional methods. The Department of Energy allocated $500 million for the project. The DOJ seeks dismissal of the lawsuit, asserting it undermines environmental regulatory processes and jeopardizes access to strategic materials for military readiness.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Materials reproduced from https://www.justice.gov/.
No endorsement by the DOJ is implied.
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