Reid calls for Loux’s removal as Nuclear Projects director

Thursday, March 2, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

Reid made the surprising comment about Nuclear Projects Agency chief Bob Loux during a meeting Wednesday with Gov. Kenny Guinn, who's seeking more state money to track federal efforts to locate the dump at Nevada's Yucca Mountain.

But Guinn and Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., made it clear Reid was pretty much alone in his opinion on Loux's future.

Guinn said he believes Loux, who has headed Nevada's battle against the high-level nuclear waste dump for 17 years, is an asset to the state's efforts.

"We respect Sen. Reid's position and his feelings on the issue and respect the work he has done on this issue," Guinn press secretary Jack Finn said. "But we are sticking by Bob and feel he has done a good job and been an asset to the state."

Bryan commended the governor's decision to keep Loux, saying House Republicans oppose him because he has been a strong and effective advocate against the dump project.

"To replace him because the House Republicans don't like him, I would hope that wouldn't happen," said Bryan. "The governor made the right decision."

Reid said he made it clear any decision is up to Guinn, but that his fellow members of the Appropriations Committee won't back more funding for Nevada's oversight of the Yucca Mountain project as long as Loux is director.

"I said I want you to understand that as long as Bob is in that position, I can't get you any money," Reid said he told the governor.

He said last year he was only able to win approval of about $500,000 of the original $5 million budgeted for the Nevada Nuclear Agency.

"I like him," said Reid. "I think he's doing a good job, but the Republican majority doesn't like him."

Reid said the main objections still focus on charges by federal auditors that Loux misused federal money, spending it on advertising and other efforts to raise opposition to the Yucca Mountain site instead of oversight.

Nevada was ordered to repay part of the money two years ago after auditors said it was spent in violation of restrictions imposed in the legislation approving the funding.

"It might be part of their frustration with the whole Nevada thing, too," said Reid. "We beat them every time (in Congress) and he's kind of their poster boy for not being able to get nuclear waste to Nevada."

Bryan said that's why Guinn should keep Loux, adding, "The problem isn't with Bob Loux. It's with the House Republicans who object to him because he has been such an effective adversary."