The Senate and the House yesterday approved both the energy and dog bills by wide margins before adjourning for the election break.

Under House Bill 2200, the state's utilities will be required to find ways to cut electricity usage by a small percentage by 2011.

The utilities also will have to show state regulators that they are trying to buy electricity at the cheapest possible price, instead of buying at wholesale market prices. If utilities are caught manipulating the price of electricity, the Public Utility Commission could levy penalties of up to $20 million.

Not included was a provision to limit increases after utility rate caps are lifted over the next three years. Rendell and other supporters pledged to find a solution with utility companies early next year.

Both chambers also gave final approval to a bill that makes sweeping improvements to the care and housing of dogs in commercial kennels. The "puppy mill" bill (H.B. 2525), covers roughly 650 commercial breeding kennels, most of them in Lancaster and Chester Counties.

It will ban wire flooring, double-cage sizes, eliminate cage stacking, and require regular exercise and semiannual veterinary care for thousands of dogs. It also mandates that only a veterinarian may euthanize an animal.

Sponsor Rep. James Casorio (D., Westmoreland) said it will ensure that dogs in commercial kennels are treated humanely.

The Senate failed to take action on Rendell's proposal to expand health coverage for the uninsured, a bill that passed the House last spring.

In a last-minute attempt to strike a deal with Senate Republicans, Rendell scaled back his plan to 115,000 people - the number of adults on the waiting list for coverage. Originally it would have covered 250,000.

Rendell said last night that he was "deeply disappointed" the Senate did not act on his compromise.

Both houses also passed by wide margins a measure prohibiting cell-phone companies from releasing personal phone records without a customer's permission or a court's approval. The measure (H.B. 1664) is intended to close a loophole in state law that allowed a defense lawyer to obtain the cell-phone records of law enforcement officials involved in prosecuting casino owner Louis A. DeNaples.

For Pennsylvania House roll-call votes, go to http://go.philly.com/pahousevote

For Pennsylvania Senate roll-call votes, go to http://go.philly.com/pasenatevote

This article includes information from the Associated Press.