Judge unlikely to dismiss Water Authority suit

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Friday, July 2, 2004 | 11:02 a.m.

Officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Nevada Power Co. expect U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Jones to reject a motion that he throw out a lawsuit brought against the authority by the utility.

Nevada Power sued the SNWA and individuals working with the Colorado River Commission and Enron Corp. in March, claiming they conspired to harm the Las Vegas electric company.

Jones heard arguments from both sides on Thursday, and indicated he would deny SNWA's motion to throw out the case brought by Nevada Power. SNWA argued that the case was frivolous and should fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Nevada Power claimed that since the issue did not involve changing rates set forth in contracts, which would fall under FERC jurisdiction, that the case was properly brought to a federal court.

The judge is expected to issue a final order on the matter within days.