CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Form 10-K of our report dated January 25, 2001 included in the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Annual Report to Stockholders for 2000. It should be noted that we have not audited any financial statements of MDU Resources Group, Inc. subsequent to December 31, 2000 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report. We also consent to the incorporation of our report incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K into the Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-3, No. 333-06127, No. 333- 48647, No. 333-49472 and No. 333-49484, and on Form S-8, No. 33- 54486, No. 333-06103, No. 333-06105, No. 333-27879, No. 333- 27877, No. 333-72595, No. 333-33186 and No. 333-33184. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota March 2, 2001