FairPoint Energy Launches Green Energy Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FairPoint Communications will now offer a green retail energy option to residents of Maine and New Hampshire.

FairPoint Communications has entered into a marketing agreement with Crius Energy, a leading provider of green energy and has licensed to Crius the name FairPoint Energy. FairPoint Energy combines Crius Energy's strong presence and expertise in the retail energy sector with FairPoint Communications' broad customer base and rich background as a leader in providing telecom products and solutions. FairPoint Energy offers energy options that provide value and sustainable energy choices for customers.

"FairPoint Energy creates a real win-win for our customers, by saving them money and helping them contribute to a cleaner environment," said Tony Tomae, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for FairPoint Communications. "Enrollment is simple and seamless, allowing customers to sign up through the FairPoint call centers, easily selecting an alternative energy supplier while staying with their current utility company for distribution."

"We are pleased to be working with FairPoint Communications," said Michael Fallquist, chief executive officer of Crius Energy. "The launch of an energy solution is a natural progression in expanding FairPoint Communications' suite of excellent products and services and will provide great economical and renewable energy options to its customers."

Eligible customers are currently served by Central Maine Power Company or Bangor Hydro Electric Company in Maine and in New Hampshire by Public Service Company of New Hampshire. Customers can select from plans that offer savings, clean wind power, or even both.

To view FairPoint Energy's current offers and rates, go to www.FairPointEnergy.com or call 1-866-984-2001.

About FairPoint Communications, Inc.

FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP) is a leading communications provider of broadband Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other high-capacity data services to customers in communities across 18 states. Through its fast, reliable fiber network, FairPoint delivers high-quality data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers. FairPoint delivers VantagePoint^SM services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art fiber network provides carrier Ethernet connections to support the surging bandwidth and performance requirements for cloud-based applications like network storage, disaster recovery, distance learning, medical imaging, video conferencing and CAD/CAM along with traditional voice, VoIP, video and Internet access solutions. Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at www.FairPoint.com. You can also connect with FairPoint on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/myfairpoint) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/myfairpoint).

About FairPoint Energy

FairPoint Energy, LLC is a subsidiary of Crius Energy LLC, a competitive electricity provider that is unaffiliated with FairPoint Communications or its subsidiaries.  FairPoint Energy is a local provider of affordable, retail energy that offers 100% green energy options to customers in Maine and New Hampshire. FairPoint Energy was created through a strategic relationship between Crius Energy and FairPoint Communications and uses the FairPoint Energy name under a license agreement with FairPoint Communications, Inc. Through this landmark launch, FairPoint Communications is the first telecom provider in northern New England to offer retail energy services along with its other service packages including entertainment, Internet and phone. FairPoint Energy^SM is a service mark of FairPoint Communications, registration pending.

About Crius Energy

Crius Energy LLC owns a rapidly growing network of retail energy companies operating in 10 states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Crius Energy's companies service hundreds of thousands of customers in both the residential and the commercial retail energy market. Crius Energy is committed to rapid growth and expansion across all deregulated markets through its diversified channels. The company provides value to customers through a steadfast commitment to innovation, service and building unique, strategic relationships.

SOURCE FairPoint Communications