In the shadow of Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains, a small warehouse holds the only U.S. machine capable of refining nickel — a key metal for the clean energy shift, currently dominated by
China. The facility, run by startup Westwin Elements, represents Oklahoma’s push to become a national hub for processing critical minerals.
Despite lacking major mineral deposits and facing challenges like a struggling education system and inland location, the state is attracting investment. Key projects include:
- Westwin’s nickel refinery, which could supply 10% of U.S. demand by 2030.
- Stardust Power’s lithium plant, aiming to produce 50,000 tons annually.
- A rare earths magnet factory from USA Rare Earth.
- Two battery recycling plants and other e-waste initiatives.
- A planned aluminum smelter—the first in the U.S. since 1980.
Investors cite Oklahoma’s incentives, central location, strong energy workforce, and streamlined regulations as key advantages. Governor Kevin Stitt, who actively courts these industries, calls it a “one phone call state.”
The state’s efforts come amid growing U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese mineral imports. Oklahoma offers tax breaks and is lobbying to retain federal green energy subsidies and increase domestic sourcing mandates for federal contracts.
However, not all ventures have succeeded. EV startup Canoo went bankrupt despite state support, and Panasonic chose Kansas over Oklahoma for a major battery plant.
Education remains a hurdle, with the state ranked near the bottom nationally. Still, officials believe policy reforms and private investment can help attract talent.
Stitt remains optimistic. “We’re swinging for the fences,” he says, hoping Oklahoma can help reshape America's clean energy supply chain. Photo by OKJaguar, Wikimedia commons.
