LAS VEGAS - The State of Nevada is intervening in a lawsuit filed by the State of Texas against Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

Texas officials are suing Secretary Perry to require the Department of Energy to restart the Yucca Mountain permitting process within 12 months.

Nevada is intervening in the suit in an attempt to stop that from happening.

Governor Brian Sandoval hinted at the move two weeks ago during an exclusive interview with Politics NOW co-host Patrick Walker.

"What recourse as Governor, or with state resources, do you have to try to push back if this moves forward?" Walker asked.

"Well, most likely, and that's what we've done historically, is litigation. Both litigation in the courts, and if there's any type of licensing process, so there are hundreds of issues that we can contest, and that's what we will do," Gov. Sandoval responded. 

Nevada's federal delegation weighed in on the lawsuit.

“We must always fight any attempt to revive Yucca Mountain, a boondoggle that will jeopardize the health and safety of Southern Nevada and residents in almost every congressional district across the country," Rep. Dina Titus said in a statement. 

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto also released a statement calling Yucca Mountain "nothing more than a hole in the ground." 

“This proposed repository site will not only pose health risks to Nevadans, it could also cost jobs and hurt our economy. This Texas lawsuit is a waste of time – the State of Nevada will do everything we can to stop the revival of Yucca Mountain and to make sure this ill-conceived project will never see the light of day,” Sen. Cortez Masto added. 

Senator Dean Heller also joined the conversation by writing a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"This project was ill-conceived from the beginning and has already flushed billions of taxpayer dollars down the drain.  I have consistently opposed making Nevada our nation’s nuclear waste dump and encourage you to listen to and respect the rights of Nevadans on this issue," Sen. Heller said.