Only in Marin

Train’s a-Comin’?

Columnist: Bill Meagher
Sep, 2008 Issue

A million here, a million there—pretty soon you’re talking real money. The fight to prove the SMART train is just that is under way again. The 20-year sales tax increase to fund the $540 million construction costs is on the November ballot. Should the tax plan pass this time, the train would roll in to a station near you in 2014.

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Of Clean Energy, Ampersands, Doggy Doubles and Re-Malling

Columnist: Michael E. Duffy
Aug, 2008 Issue

In business, it’s always about power and money. And in no place is that more true than in Marin. Businesses in Marin are beginning to hear about plans to give Pacific Gas and Electric a run for its money [see “Buying Power,” page 43]. The Marin Community Development Agency has proposed forming a joint powers authority to buy clean energy on behalf of businesses and residents. The concept, Marin Clean Energy, would be a community choice aggregation (CCA), an entity that would sell power that’s at least 25 percent renewable and eventually sell energy that would be 100 percent green for less than what PG&E charges. At least this is what the county is proposing. PG&E would still handle power distribution and billing.

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Of Biotechnology, Buyouts and Dropping Acid

Columnist: Bill Meagher
Jul, 2008 Issue

Is BioMarin up for grabs? The Novato company develops and markets drugs for the underserved genetic disorder market and recently posted eye-popping first quarter numbers. Revenues from its Naglazyme product were up 50 percent from the previous quarter, and another product was up 37 percent. Quarterly revenues were up 165 percent, and the 11-year-old company released guidance that points to revenues rising 122 percent for the year. The numbers ran counter to Wall Street analysts, who were looking for a nickel a share loss. Instead, the company showed net income of $1.7 million after losing $9.3 million in the last quarter of 2007.

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All American

Columnist: Bill Meagher
Jun, 2008 Issue

    When American Assets acquired the Fireman’s Fund campus in Novato, most observers thought the San Diego real estate investment firm was simply buying a Class A office property with a strong cash flow.

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