UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 10, 2005
NorthWestern Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
| 0-692 |
| 46-0172280 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| (Commission File Number) |
| (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
125 South Dakota Avenue |
| 57104 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
(605) 978-2908
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On May 10, 2005, NorthWestern Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Montana Public Service Commission (the “MPSC”) unanimously agreed to enter into a stipulation to settle a dispute with the Company over the recovery of the Company’s prior year natural gas costs. The stipulation stems from a disagreement that arose in 2002 regarding a ruling made by the MPSC to disallow approximately $10.6 million in natural gas costs for purchases made between November 1, 2002, and June 30, 2004. As a result of the stipulation with the Commission, the Company will be allowed to recover approximately $4.6 million of these prior costs plus interest, and a lawsuit filed by NorthWestern in the Montana District Court in Helena will be dismissed. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
A copy of the press release is being furnished pursuant to Regulation FD as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is herein incorporated by reference. The information in the press release shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Furthermore, the press release shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as set forth with respect thereto in any such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
EXHIBIT NO. |
| DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT |
99.1* |
| Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation, dated May 10, 2005 |
* filed herewith
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| NorthWestern Corporation |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Roger Schrum |
|
Roger Schrum | |||
Vice President - Human Resources | |||
Date: May 11, 2005
3
Index to Exhibits
| DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT | |
99.1* |
| Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation, dated May 10, 2005 |
* filed herewith
4
