Former Sen. Bryan appointed to state nuclear commission

Thursday, May 24, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Former U.S. Sen. Dick Bryan, who has led the fight against a high-level nuclear dump at Yucca Mountain, today was named to the state's Nuclear Project Commission, which oversees the federal efforts to qualify the site.

Gov. Kenny Guinn made the announcement and said Bryan, who retired in January 2001 from the Senate after two terms, will replace Tom Warden of Las Vegas, who resigned.

Bryan is currently a partner and executive committee member of the Las Vegas law firm of Lionel, Sawyer and Collins.

Bryan, as governor, was one of the early leaders in battling the U.S. Department of Energy, which is studying the Yucca Mountain site as a location for the repository.

"I can think of no one who has Dick Bryan's depth of knowledge and experience on every aspect of nuclear energy," Guinn said, "and his dedication to serving the people of Nevada is well known throughout our state."

The commission was created in 1985 when Bryan was governor. It makes recommendation to the governor and Legislature on nuclear projects and the disposal of radioactive waste.