WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee says farmers can support a proposed Democratic bill to limit greenhouse gases and combat global warming.

Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota today urged support for the climate bill after a series of concessions aimed at easing the impact higher energy costs will have on farmers and rural areas of the country.

Peterson said the changes made the massive bill something "that can work with agriculture."

A vote on the bill could come on Friday. Republicans say it will lead to soaring energy costs. Peterson said farmers will be able to mitigate higher energy prices by selling pollution "offsets" earned by capturing carbon dioxide.