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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): May 4, 2005
NorthWestern Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-692 46-0172280
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
incorporation) Identification No.)
125 South Dakota Avenue 57104
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(605) 978-2908
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
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Item 8.01 Other Events
On May 4, 2005, NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy, issued a
press release announcing that it has reached an agreement in principle with PPL
Montana, LLC (PPLM), a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, to settle all claims and
counterclaims pending in the case styled Northwestern Corporation vs. PPL
Montana, LLC vs. NorthWestern Corporation and Clark Fork and Blackfoot, LLC,
Cause No. CV-02-94-BU (SEH) pending in U.S. District Court in Montana and PPLM's
claims filed in NorthWestern's bankruptcy proceeding. Under terms of the
agreement in principal, NorthWestern will retain its 500 kV Colstrip
transmission assets located in east-central Montana and PPLM will pay
NorthWestern $9.0 million in cash. The settlement terms are subject to approval
by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and shall not be
binding until an order is obtained and entered by the Bankruptcy Court and the
lawsuit is dismissed by the U.S. District Court in Montana. The press release is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
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99.1* Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation dated May 4, 2005
* filed herewith
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
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Roger Schrum
Vice President - Human Resources and
Communications
Date: May 9, 2005
Index to Exhibits
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EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
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99.1* Press Release of NorthWestern Corporation dated May 4, 2005
* filed herewith