Private donors pitch in to state anti-Yucca fund

Tuesday, April 16, 2002 | 9:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Private contributions have added $77,777 to a state fund to fight the proposed nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, a state official said Monday.

After Gov. Kenny Guinn's call for every Nevadan to contribute a dollar to the cause, the state has seen everything from checks, credit card donations and four quarters taped to a piece of cardboard come in to the Nevada Protection Fund, said Bob Loux, director of the state's Agency for Nuclear Projects.

Those contributions can be used to gain matching funds from the state Legislature. The Legislature's interim committee approved up to $3 million in matching funds.

The contributions include the $75,000 given last week by the Incline Village woman. The next largest contribution was $200. Loux said many people are asking their name not be disclosed. But there's $100 from Rick Bennett, a former Las Vegas assemblyman who is now government relations officer for UNLV and $50 from Renee Diamond, a former Las Vegas Assemblywoman who now heads the state Manufactured Housing Division.

Loux said his office received 158 to 160 letters Monday but these have not been totaled.

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