Nuclear projects director says he has enough cash to get through the year

The head of Nevada's Yucca Mountain battle says he has the cash to get through this year even though his contract for legal services is more than his $3.6 million in state funding.

Bob Loux, director of the state Office on Nuclear Projects, told the Interim Finance Committee he expects a substantial donation by a Northern Nevada "public institution" later this week. He declined to say how much or to identify the contributor.

Loux said he is controlling expenses by the legal team defending Nevada's position in opposition to the proposed nuclear dump. Some of those attorneys receive $400 an hour for their work on three different legal actions before the federal courts.

Loux said $2.9 million was spent in the public relations effort to convince Congress to vote against the dump. He said he would provide lawmakers with a detailed report on how that money was spent.

Loux said he is working to reduce costs while continuing to defend the state's position against Yucca Mountain.

Nevada won a victory in its legal battle to block the dump when the Circuit Court in Washington, D.C., refused Monday to dismiss those lawsuits. Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said those cases will be reviewed by a panel allowing Nevada to make its full arguments.