CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration
Statement No. 333-06127 and No. 333-104150 on Form S-3, and No.
33-54486, No. 333-27879, No. 333-27877, No. 333-33186, No. 333-
33184, No. 333-70622, No. 333-62900, No. 333-84844, No. 333-
112035, No. 333-118622, and No. 333-114488 on Form S-8 of our
reports dated February 22, 2005 relating to the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules of MDU
Resources Group, Inc. (the "Company") and management's report on
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which report on the consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedules expresses an unqualified opinion
and includes an explanatory paragraph related to the Company's
change in method of accounting for asset retirement obligations,
as described in Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial
statements) appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company for the year ended December 31, 2004.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 23, 2005