IP plans to close the mill this year, throwing about 1,100 people out of work. McAuliffe hopes to create hundreds of green jobs, a point of emphasis in his bid last year for governor.
It was not immediately clear how many jobs the McAuliffe-led offer might generate. However, there was speculation it could ultimately produce about 1,000 jobs -- not just at the plant, but in related areas, such as harvesting trees as fuel.
Further, such a plant could link up with the power grid, perhaps selling electricity to Virginia's vast information-technology industry.
"I am interested in moving (the state) forward in green power ... to preserve and create jobs," said McAuliffe, who also is the head of an electric-car company that is considering building a factory in Virginia.
For more news about green jobs, sustainable living and more, check out Going Green, a new section of the digital edition of The Commercial Appeal. You can explore Going Green -- and the rest of the e-Appeal -- at no charge through the end of April. After that, the digital edition will be available for free to subscribers to the paper editions, or for just $10 a month for online-only access.
UPDATE: Anita Kumar of The Washington Post has more on this story. McAuliffe would be eligible for job-creation tax credits available under the administration of new Republican Gov. Bob McConnell.
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