President Barack Obama fielded questions about education and energy during a town hall-style meeting at Binghamton University's Vestal campus Friday afternoon.

Obama spent most of the hour-long session elaborating on his plan designed to make higher education more affordable.

The president indicated he wants states to provide more funding for colleges to help control future tuition hikes.

Obama said he'll work to develop innovative ways to reduce higher education costs.

Responding to a question about the nation's energy future, the president said it's "critical" to invest more to develop clean energy technologies.

Although the controversy surrounding fracking wasn't mentioned, Obama did say the fossil fuel industries "tend to be very influential" on the congressional energy committees.

The president also said the United States could significantly reduce its power usage with existing technologies.

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM