Legislators seek to set pay of nuclear agency workers

CARSON CITY -- A Nevada Senate bill would change the salary structure in the state Agency for Nuclear Projects, which has led the fight against federal plans for a radioactive waste dump at Yucca Mountain, so that staffers' pay would be set by lawmakers.

SB412 deletes the agency from a list of agencies whose workers' pay is controlled by the governor.

The bill is meant to prevent situations similar to what happened with Bob Loux, former Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects chief, a spokesman for Gov. Jim Gibbons said.

Loux was cleared recently by the state Ethics Commission of charges that he improperly gave himself and staff unauthorized raises.