U.S. House panel backs Waxman as energy chairman

By Thomas Ferraro and Deborah Zabarenko

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A California environmentalist narrowly beat a long-time friend of the U.S. auto industry on Wednesday in a preliminary battle to head the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee.

On a secret-ballot vote of 25-22, the House Democratic Steering Committee recommended that Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman head the energy panel in the 111th Congress, set to convene on January 6.

It remained unclear, however, if the 255-member House Democratic conference on Thursday would accept this recommendation or stick with Democratic Rep. John Dingell of Michigan as chairman.

"Too close to call," a Democratic leadership aide said.

Another aide predicted a contentious closed-door voting session, saying, "There's going to be blood on the floor."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has remained publicly neutral, but is seen as close to Waxman, a fellow California liberal.

The committee has broad jurisdiction over a host of matters -- from consumer protection and regulation of energy resources to global warming, conservation, health and auto emissions.

Dingell, 82, fought for decades for breaks for the Big Three automakers, which are now seeking relief from Congress. But he eventually joined the mounting drive to pressure the industry to build a more efficient car.