Residents packed the Capitol building in Hartford Wednesday to voice their concerns about the energy crisis the state is facing.

State lawmakers and the Energy and Technology Committee heard complaints about the rising United Illuminating (UI) prices. They also heard suggestions on possible relief. Residents? main concern is how they will pay for the recently approved UI 45 percent rate hike.

Some groups tossed around ideas of how to end the crisis. One suggestion was to depend on new types of energy sources, such as bio-fuel. Another suggestion was to encourage more green energy consumption. While lawmakers say many of the suggestions were good ones, they say there are currently no short-term solutions.

Elected officials expressed their concerns and ideas to state lawmakers and the Energy and Technology Committee. The goal of the public hearing was for lawmakers to draw up an energy legislation they can vote on when the session starts in January.

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