HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A committee has been formed to lobby state lawmakers to back a plan for lower energy costs to help seniors and low-income residents.

Committee member Patricia Wrice of Operation Fuel says the committee wants a state policy to allow qualified applicants to pay a fixed percentage of their total income for energy costs.

She says that commercial and residential customers could offset the discount by paying an additional $11 per year on their utility bill.

Goshen State Sen. Andrew W. Roraback says he's concerned low-income seniors could face the brunt of rising energy costs. Their utility bills double, yet income from sources such as Social Security grows at 3 or 4 percent per year.