B757 Captain is informed of electrical fumes in the cabin and after turning off the utility buses; elects to continue to the nearby destination. On the next departure after maintenance has signed off the Logbook; the fumes return. This time the Captain elects to declare an emergency and return to the departure airport.

Narrative

During the climb out; the purser called the cockpit and stated that there was a strong electrical/acrid odor in the vicinity of Door 2L. The odor worked it's way towards Door 1L and eventually to the cockpit. I shutdown both utility buses and directed the purser to turn off all the lights and the video recorder. The odor subsided and went away. I contacted Maintenance; we discussed the event; and elected to continue. Upon arrival; maintenance worked the write up and signed it off. I told Maintenance Control and the local maintenance supervisor; that if the event occurred again on climb out; I would be back. I contacted our Dispatcher and discussed the event. We agreed; that if we had a problem during the climb; I would sent him an ACARS message 'returning to field'. While climbing out at about 10;000 feet; the purser called me; and told me that the electrical/acrid odor had return. I declared an emergency; asked for the fire-fighting equipment to meet the flight. I sent an ACARS message Dispatch. I made an overweight landing at 210;200lbs. I did not feel that a cabin advisory or preparation; was required. Total airborne time was 17 minutes.