The woman who led California through the development and implementation of some groundbreaking environmental policies could soon be headed to Washington, D.C.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced her resignation this week, and already people are speculating about who will next head the agency. One name on nearly every pundit's short list: California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols.

Nichols would be a controversial pick, as would most any candidate with a strong environmental record. She was rumored to be a finalist four years ago, but President Obama picked Jackson, a chemical engineer who had served as former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's chief of staff.

Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle