Power plant investors looking at former mill

By Diana McFarland
Smithfield Times News editor
Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe has put in a bid to convert the International Paper plant into a wood-fired power plant.
The goal is to create a “green footprint” to better entice business and manufacturing — and jobs — to Virginia, McAuliffe said Tuesday in a phone interview.
“People want to buy as much green energy as they can. “You can’t have too much of it,” he said.
Citing a non-disclosure agreement, McAuliffe said he was unable to reveal details of the plan, but did say that his team has been working with IP officials on the project.
It would be easy to convert the boilers to burn biomass, he said, adding that other states have converted former paper mills into wood-burning power plants.
“This would really put Virginia on the map.”
McAuliffe is also aware that Isle of Wight has plans to build an intermodal park near the IP site.
“We could team up together and that would be spectacular,” he said.
Isle of Wight Economic Development Director Lisa Perry said her team has spoken with Peter O’Keefe, but was unaware that McAuliffe was also involved.
O’Keefe is a political ally of McAuliffe’s, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch, which printed a story on McAuliffe’s involvement Tuesday.
“He’s one of many looking at the IP facility.  IP is entertaining proposals from many other entities,” Perry said.
Bid proposals are due Feb. 26.
International Paper announced last October that it would close its mill, putting 1,100 workers out of a job and costing Isle of Wight, Southampton counties and the city of Franklin millions in tax revenue.

Read the entire story in the Feb. 10  issue of the Smithfield Times. Papers can be purchased at newstands, or subscribe by calling 357-3288 or online at www.smithfieldtimes.com