The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday passed a rule to create a committee that will focus on climate change.

On a vote of 228-195, the House approved creation of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has been pushing for the committee as a way to raise public and lawmaker awareness of climate change.

Congressional aides say Ms. Pelosi is likely to appoint Rep. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) an outspoken proponent of climate change policy, to chair the panel.

The creation of the select panel was initially criticized by some fellow Democrats, including Reps. John Dingell, (D., Mich.) chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) over concern about jurisdictional interference. Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Dingell agreed the new panel won't have legislative authority and will last only until late 2008.

"We'll do the legislative work (on climate change," and we'll hope they'll stay out of our way," Mr. Dingell said Thursday in the final minutes of the vote.

Membership of the new committee will be named after the funding resolution is passed, a congressional aide said.