Many Connecticut residents are wondering how electric bills got so high.

"It's a mystery," Fairfield resident Ellen Jacob says. "It's a 'Colombo' mystery."

National energy officials were in Fairfield Tuesday night to answer the important questions.

“This is a really complex issue," State Rep. Jennifer Leeper says. "Rate payers are sick of our utilities putting shareholders first, and we need to flip the script."

PURA Chairwoman Marrissa Gillett explained the confusing public benefit section on many peoples' bills, but residents say they're still upset about rate hikes.

“We’re suffering," Jacob says. "We need a sense of urgency, and we need people to speak for us up in Hartford."

“I understand people are really upset," Leeper says. "It’s outrageous what they were hit with in July in the hottest month we have ever experienced and then to have these crippling utility rates on top of that."

Tuesday's forum was held at the Fairfield Museum and History center.