CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire’s largest electric company is supporting FairPoint Communications’ bid to take over Verizon’s land telephone lines in northern New England.

Public Service Company of New Hampshire and FairPoint have reached an agreement to work together to manage utility poles and on other issues of mutual interest.

In an announcement this week, Public Service said it had withdrawn as an intervenor in the state Public Utility Commission’s review of the FairPoint plan and was supporting the merger request.

“We are pleased to have the support of PSNH and look forward to working with its staff in New Hampshire once the transaction is complete,” said Gene Johnson, FairPoint’s chairman and CEO.

PSNH spokesman Martin Murray said PSNH and Verizon had clashed in the past over the removal of utility poles and other issues concerning co-owned utility poles. He said PSNH sought intervenor status in the FairPoint review to make sure the company would abide by cooperative operating procedures.

“We often have to work together at the scene of construction or the scene of an accident or during restoration operations … so there has to be a good strong partnership,” Murray said.

“In a nutshell, through our conversations and discussions we are satisfied that it will be a very strong partnership with PSNH,” he said.

AP-ES-10-10-07 1449EDT