Connecticut is considering legislation to erase a portion of college debt for students who work in green technology and other industries.

The state wants to boost its work force in high-growth green technology, life sciences and health information technology.

Under the proposal, it would forgive as much as $2,500 of education loans annually for up to four years, or 5 percent of loans, whichever is less.

Students would have to earn a bachelor's or associate's degree and work in Connecticut in those industries for at least two years.

States have forgiven loans in areas such as medicine, but Connecticut's proposal could break new ground in green technology. One problem: Officials must define exactly what green jobs are.