HARRISBURG — The state House on Tuesday voted in favor of borrowing $850 million to encourage use of cleaner energy sources, a main element of Gov. Ed Rendell's energy strategy.

The 126-74 vote sent the bill to the Senate, which last year approved a different version that requires much less borrowing.

The House bill's sponsor, Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, called it "an across-the-board, strong economic development, environmental protection bill."

It would expand solar manufacturing and use of advanced coal technologies and electricity conservation, as well as underwrite related research.

Republicans attacked the bill as reckless borrowing and a means by which Rendell, a Democrat, can dole out money to favored firms and projects.

"These are all great ideas, but they're not implementable," said Rep. Thomas J. Quigley, R-Montgomery. "If it's such a great idea, let the private sector put their money into it."

Pennsylvania should draw from its coal, gas and petroleum tradition, said Rep. Scott E. Hutchinson, R-Venango.

"The only way that we as a state and we as a country can become less dependent on foreign energy is to produce and encourage development of homegrown, proven energy sources," he said.

Democratic backers said both parties in the House and the Senate will be able to influence which projects get funded, and that the state is not currently overloaded with debt.

Rep. David Levdansky, D-Allegheny, said Pennsylvania's debt ranks in the middle of states both in per-capita terms and as a percentage of personal income.

Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon, said every dollar will leverage $6 to $12 in private investment, an estimated $3.5 billion in the coming decade. He predicted the program will create 13,000 jobs and 22,000 spinoff jobs. The House recently amended the bill to add money for wind power, environmentally friendly buildings, more efficient heating systems and pollution-control equipment at smaller coal-burning power plants.

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, an environmental lobbying group, lauded the House bill as job-creating legislation that will benefit consumers. The Senate on Dec. 12 voted 44-5 for a $650 million bill that would provide tax credits, rebates and grants to cut electricity bills and pollution.