US House Republicans courted on climate change bill

* Pelosi pushing for quick House passage

* Largest U.S. farm group opposes House bill

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) - As Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives struggled to resolve disputes over a climate change bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday courted moderate Republicans she hopes may help pass the legislation.

"I get the feeling they would like our votes; they'd like the title of a bipartisan bill. That is very important to them," Republican Representative Mary Bono Mack told reporters after the meeting of 11 Republicans and House Democratic leaders.

Mack, who represents a California desert district with wind, solar and geothermal interests, was the only Republican to vote for the bill last month when it was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Many Republicans say the climate bill should help encourage nuclear power growth.

The legislation is aimed at reducing U.S. industry's emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 -- both from 2005 levels.

Scientists have linked those pollutants to rising Earth temperatures, harmful weather swings and melting ice caps, all of which threaten plants, animals and humans.

Pelosi is pushing for House passage of the climate change bill, possibly as early as next week, or else sometime in July. The bill also is a high priority of President Barack Obama.