Bob Loux, 59, has held the post for 23 years. He has been the point man in the state's effort to derail a federal plan to create a nuclear waste depository at Yucca Flats, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

"It's clear to me now this issue of my employment and other related

issues have become too big of a distraction to the overall effort," Loux said.

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, head of the Nuclear Projects Commission, accepted Loux's resignation while acknowledging that he has "ably advised four governors." Loux will remain on the job until Gov. Jim Gibbons names a successor.

Loux last year raised pay for employees of his agency, including himself, by 16 percent. The increase was above the pay raises authorized by the state Legislature.