* Obama picks former Romney official to lead EPA * Energy industry not expected to fight nomination * Climate change, power plant rules will be big fights By Patrick Rucker WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - After a long career in public service including work for two Republican governors, Gina McCarthy is expected to win confirmation as the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency, thanks to her reputation as a practical, fix-it regulator.

By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Gina McCarthy, said to be U.S. President Barack Obama's choice as the nation's top environmental regulator, avoided questions about a potential promotion on Thursday but said states will play a key role in shaping federal regulations at an energy and climate policy forum. McCarthy, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation since 2009, was tightlipped about whether Obama will nominate her as the EPA's next administrator.

(Corrects paragraph 27 to show Jackson drove her mother's sister, not her own sister, out of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina) By John Shiffman, Valerie Volcovici and Patrick Rucker WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The departing chief of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa P. Jackson, says she cringes whenever she is asked if President Barack Obama is truly serious about confronting climate change.