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Dealing with rising energy prices was a hot topic in the 5th Congressional District Tuesday, with both candidates holding events to address the issue.

State Sen. David J. Cappiello, R-Danbury, unveiled a proposal he said would address short- and long-term issues.

The plan calls for lifting the federal ban on offshore drilling for oil and gas, encouraging the expansion of nuclear power, ending the mandated use of ethanol in gasoline, streamlining the types of gas blends that producers are required to make and reforming the oil commodities market.

He also wants to invest in renewable sources such as wind, solar and fuel cells and use tax credits to encourage conservation.

Cappiello, who discussed the plan at a Torrington car dealership, took the opportunity to criticize Democratic incumbent Christopher S. Murphy of Cheshire, whom he accused of opposing offshore drilling and expanding nuclear generation.

"Congressman Murphy's policy is 'just say no' to responsible options like increasing domestic oil and gas production through offshore drilling, and increasing the use of nuclear power," Cappiello said in a release. "I do not understand how anyone, of either party, can look their constituents in the eyes, in an era of $4.39 gasoline, and deny them that promise of relief. It is unconscionable that as family budgets are tightening, government makes the problem worse through costly and inefficient mandates for ethanol, and specialized blends of fuel that are neither used nor wanted."

Although opponents fear oil and gas drilling could disturb pristine coastlines, Cappiello said the exploration could be done miles away from shore and in an environmentally responsible manner.

Murphy said he wants to force oil companies to drill on public lands that they already control. His spokeswoman defended his record, which includes supporting nuclear power.

"David Cappiello is just mimicking what he hears coming out of the president's mouth when it comes to drilling," Murphy spokeswoman Kristen Bossi wrote Tuesday in an e-mail. "Instead of worrying about the profit margins of Big Oil, Chris is focused on demanding that they drill on the public lands they already lease."

Murphy, who is serving his first term, voted last week for a bill that would deny oil and gas companies any new federal leases until they demonstrate they are thoroughly exploring the 68 million acres they control.

Cappiello's assertion about nuclear energy is "dead wrong," Bossi said. Murphy voted for $18.5 billion in loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors, projects the Department of Energy has placed out for bid.

Murphy also supports measures to curb market speculation on oil.

He and Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3rd District, met with agencies that serve the hungry in Waterbury Tuesday to discuss how rising fuel and food costs are impacting residents.

DeLauro and Murphy supported the 2008 farm bill, which boosted money for nutrition assistance programs, emergency food assistance and food stamps.

Bossi said Murphy is "focused on finding ways to help lower gas prices in the short term and ways to make us more energy independent in the long term."