NorthWestern (NWE) 8-K Regulation FD Disclosure

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 21, 2005

NorthWestern Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	0-692 (Commission File Number)		46-0172280 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
125 South Dakota Avenue Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Address of principal executive offices)		57104 (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 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 21, 2005, a letter from E. Linn Draper, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of NorthWestern Corporation, was sent to Mike Kadas, Chair of Montana Public Power, Incorporated.

A copy of the letter 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 letter 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 letter and attachments 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 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Letter from E. Linn Draper, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of NorthWestern Corporation

* filed herewith

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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:
		Thomas J. Knapp
		Vice President and General Counsel
Date:  October 24, 2005

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Index to Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
99.1*	Letter from E. Linn Draper, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of NorthWestern Corporation

* filed herewith

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