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Marin Clean Energy secures loan guarantee from county This week county supervisors agreed to cosign a loan in support of Marin Clean Energy start-up operations. Voting 3-2, with supervisors Steve Kinsey and Judy Arnold in opposition, the board opted to guarantee $950,000 for MCE, joining three unnamed residents who've agreed to co-sign $750,000 of the $1.7 million loan. The board's decision followed announcement of PG&E's threatened lawsuit against the Marin Municipal Water District, should it agree to cosign on the loan. The Marin Energy Authority, the joint powers group of towns and the county that would run the clean-energy operation, is set to vote this week on a contract with an electricity wholesaler.

This year's Oscar contenders and local honorees The 82nd annual Academy Award nominations were announced this week, including 10 movies contending for best picture of the year: Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, A Serious Man, Up and Up in the Air. Among the honorees featuring Marin talent are best-animated-film hopefuls Coraline, which was directed by Tiburon resident Henry Selick, and Up, featuring the writing, directing and voice of Bob Peterson from San Rafael. Not to be outdone, Industrial Light and Magic won one of 15 Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards. The Oscars will be televised live on March 7. And in keeping with tradition, be sure to enter the second annual Pacific Sun Oscar Challenge—where you guess the winners against our experts' predictions. See p. 22.

PG&E threatens water district with lawsuit The Marin Energy Authority's hopes for the Marin Municipal Water District to cosign a $2 million loan to jumpstart Marin Clean Energy operations have been given a jolt by PG&E, which is threatening litigation if the water district signs on. Reportedly, PG&E, which has been fighting vociferously against competition from a county energy agency, says such a loan guarantee is unlawful under state constitution guidelines. Clean Energy champion Supervisor Charles McGlashan has called PG&E's tactics "bullying" and says such county loans are not uncommon, citing similar assistance with the Marin Healthcare District and Ross Valley flood control as recent examples. The MMWD board canceled plans to discuss the loan guarantee this week.

Shorts... It was announced this week that Don Neubacher, superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore for the last 15 years—and a 28-year veteran of the National Park Service—will be the new superintendent of Yosemite National Park, replacing Mike Tollefson, who retired last year. Neubacher spearheaded several restoration projects at Point Reyes, including the Giacomini Wetlands and Coastal Watershed plans.—Samantha Campos