Waxman wins backing for US energy panel chair

A leading champion in Congress of laws to protect the environment and fight global warming moved closer Wednesday to assuming control of the U.S. House of Representatives committee that deals with both those issues.

The Democratic Steering and Policy panel selected Rep. Henry Waxman on a 25-22 vote over Rep. John Dingell, the current chairman, to head the Energy and Commerce Committee. Dingell, a representative of Detroit, Michigan, the center of the U.S. automotive industry. Dingell, 82, has been committee's top Democrat for 28 years, and is an important ally of automakers and electric utilities. He represents Detroit, Michigan, the center of the U.S. automotive …