DOE spokesman Allen Benson said questions about Svinicki should be directed to the White House.

Svinicki is a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, specializing in nuclear weapons issues.

She could not be reached for comment.

Svinicki, who lives in Virginia, would replace Jeffrey Merrifield on the five-member NRC board if confirmed by the Senate. Merrifield is a Republican appointee whose term expires later this year.

If confirmed, Svinicki would serve on a term that runs until 2012. Barring further delays in the Yucca program, the term is expected to coincide with the NRC's consideration of an Energy Department application to license nuclear waste storage at a site 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

"She is one of the sharpest minds in the nuclear policy world," said Dan Whiting, communication director for Craig. "Hopefully the Senate leaders will move quickly" on confirmation.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who usually exerts influence on all things dealing with Yucca Mountain in Congress, "intends to watch her confirmation hearing process closely," spokesman Jon Summers said.

Bob Loux, executive director of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, said Svinicki's past involvement with the Yucca project could be troubling.

"We would rather see someone who hadn't had ties to Yucca Mountain but we would like to know more about her," Loux said.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Svinicki started her career as an energy engineer for the State of Wisconsin Public Service Commission, according to the White House.