President-elect Barack Obama announced Monday that Lisa P. Jackson, chief of staff to NJ Gov. Jon S. Corzine, as his nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"I am both humbled and honored by President-elect Obama's selection to lead the Environmental Protection Agency," Jackson said.

"I will always be grateful for the opportunity I was given to steward New Jersey's air, land, water and natural and historic resources. I will forever be grateful to Gov. Corzine and his confidence in me to serve as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, and as his chief of staff. The tremendous strides we have made in New Jersey environmental policy would not have been possible without Gov. Corzine's strong leadership and support."

"For anyone who cares deeply, as I do, about our nation's environment and our citizens' quality of life, this appointment is a dream come true. From fighting climate change globally to preventing pollution locally, we face some of the most challenging and complex environmental issues of our times. The solutions may not be simple or easy, but on behalf of every American, I will work tirelessly to pursue them."