Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley had barely agreed to respond to an invitation to submit her name for membership on the state Agency for Nuclear Projects before it was, in short order, accepted and then rejected.

Gov. Jim Gibbons announced last week that the available place on the agency, which is supervised by the Nuclear Projects Commission, demands "a representative who shares the primary sentiment of Nevada's residents and my administration's views on the Yucca Mountain Project."

In other words, someone who is opposed to it.

Eastley has made no secret of her support for the project but pointed out Monday that she had never tried to force her way onto the agency, which advises the governor and legislature on developing state nuclear policies.

Eastley said she was nudged toward applying for the position, reportedly to replace Vice Chairman Michon Mackedon, by a representative of Gibbons' own office.

Eastley did not wish to identify the individual who suggested -- more than once, she said -- that she ought to submit her resume.

She said the representative called her about a month ago and then "contacted me several times" in pursuing the matter.

Eastley submitted her resume, was notified that it had been approved, and then, July 18, got a call from Carson City in which she was told her appointment would be canceled.

According to Bob Laux, who directs the agency, Gibbons planned to rescind Eastley's appointment but she resigned instead.

"They said, 'We didn't know you supported Yucca Mountain,'" Eastley said, "and I said, 'You never asked me.' I was asked to apply -- I didn't push my way in.

"I was asked to apply several times. I was asked several times to apply for the opening, and I was asked to resign."

Melissa Subhotin, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Gibbons has always appreciated Eastley's work for Nye County. "However," she added, "we did feel that at this time it would be prudent to put somebody in that position who shared the views of a majority of the state regarding Yucca Mountain."

Whatever the governor's point of view, Eastley said it is her opinion that a diversity of views might have been worthwhile.

Laux said that all members of the agency are opposed to the Yucca project.

Subhotin said that "we do try to reflect the views of the community and their interests ... After we had several discussions about this, we felt this would be the most appropriate position."

Eastley recalled that she had actually received her official certification as an appointee before she received the July 18 call through which she was asked to step back.

Eastley said she is neither ashamed nor embarrassed in the aftermath.

Gibbons' office indicated strongly that it wishes to have a Nye County representative on the agency.

Laux suggested Nye County support for Yucca remains beyond the pale. "It's certainly not the position the state has," he said. "We don't believe it will ever happen. We have a little bit of a difference with Nye County."