Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is asking a federal court to return his lawsuit seeking to stop a proposed aluminum smelter near Inola to Rogers County District Court.
In a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Drummond argues the state’s claims are based entirely on Oklahoma law and that the federal court does not have jurisdiction. He is also asking the defendants to pay the state’s costs and attorney fees associated with moving the case to federal court.
“My responsibility as Attorney General is to defend Oklahomans and enforce the laws of this state,” Drummond said. “This case belongs in Oklahoma state court, under Oklahoma law, and I will continue fighting to ensure it is decided there.”
Drummond initially filed the lawsuit in June seeking to stop development of Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, a proposed smelter near Inola. The defendants moved the case to federal court July 21.
Drummond also has a pending request for a preliminary injunction that would block construction of the smelter while the lawsuit is decided.
