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  <div><a name="s4f47c382a40e4c7d9172eae49c4e5138"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="9"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:30%;"></td><td style="width:13%;"></td><td style="width:12%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:13%;"></td><td style="width:13%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:4%;"></td><td style="width:13%;"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7" rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:5px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 144</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-left:108px;text-indent:-108px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">ATTENTION:  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Transmit for filing 3 copies of this form concurrently with either placing an order with  a broker to execute sale or executing a sale directly with a market maker.</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">OMB APPROVAL</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">OMB Number:        3235-0101 Expires:              May 31, 2017 Estimated average burden  hours per response ...........1.00</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:2px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">SEC USE ONLY</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">DOCUMENT SEQUENCE NO.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#f3f3f3;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">CUSIP NUMBER</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">1 </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(a) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">NAME OF ISSUER </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(Please type or print)</font></div><div style="padding-top:8px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION </font></div><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(b)  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">IRS IDENT. NO.</font></div><div style="padding-top:8px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">46-0172280</font></div><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(c)  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">S.E.C. FILE NO.</font></div><div style="padding-top:8px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1-10499</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#f3f3f3;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">WORK LOCATION</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:0px;padding-left:1px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">1 </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(d) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">ADDRESS OF ISSUER</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">STREET</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">CITY</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">STATE</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">ZIP </font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(e) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">TELEPHONE NO.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6" style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;3010 W. 69</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">TH</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">605</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">978-2900</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:6pt;">2 (a) NAME OF PERSON FOR WHOSE ACCOUNT THE SECURITIES ARE TO BE SOLD</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Robert C. Rowe</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:6pt;">(b) RELATIONSHIP TO ISSUER                            </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">CEO and DIRECTOR</font></div></td><td colspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;padding-left:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(c) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">ADDRESS STREET</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">CITY</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">STATE</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">ZIP CODE</font></div><div style="padding-top:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3010 W. 69</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">TH</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;padding-left:60px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">INSTRUCTION:  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">The person filing this notice should contact the issuer to obtain the I.R.S. Identification Number and the S.E.C. File Number.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="8"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:12%;"></td><td style="width:28%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">3 </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(a)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Title of the Class of Securities To Be Sold</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;padding-left:1px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(b)</font></div><div style="text-align:center;padding-left:29px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Name and Address of Each Broker Through Whom the Securities are to be Offered or Each Market Maker who is Acquiring the Securities</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">SEC USE ONLY</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(c)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:8px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Number of Shares or Other Units To Be Sold</font></div><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:14px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(See instr. 3(c))</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(d)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:18px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Aggregate Market Value</font></div><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:14px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(See instr. 3(d))</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(e)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:9px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Number of Shares or Other Units Outstanding</font></div><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:14px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(See instr. 3(e))</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(f)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:17px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Approximate</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:20px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Sale</font></div><div style="padding-top:3px;text-align:center;padding-left:14px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(See instr. 3(f))</font></div><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:6px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(MO.   DAY   YR.)</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(g)</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:16px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Name of Each Securities Exchange</font></div><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:13px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(See instr. 3(g))</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#f3f3f3;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:0px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-left:16px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Broker-Dealer</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;padding-left:20px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">File Number</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Common Stock</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;padding-left:24px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC</font></div><div style="text-align:left;padding-left:24px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">2 Contra Way T2L</font></div><div style="text-align:left;padding-left:24px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Merrimack, NH 03054</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#f3f3f3;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">6,022</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">$340,845 </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">(1)</sup></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">48,311,224</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">(2)</sup></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">9/19/16</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">NYSE</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">INSTRUCTIONS:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">3. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;(a)   Title of the class of securities to be sold</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">1. 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Identification Number</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(c)  Number of shares or other units to be sold (if debt securities, give the aggregate face amount)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(c)  Issuer&#8217;s S.E.C. file number, if any</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(d)  Aggregate market value of the securities to be sold as of a specified date within 10 days prior to the filing of this notice</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:366px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:7pt;padding-left:18px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(d)  Issuer&#8217;s address, including zip code</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:384px;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:7pt;text-indent:-384px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(e)  Number of shares or other units of the class outstanding, or if debt securities the face amount thereof outstanding, as shown by the most recent report or statement published by the issuer</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:18px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(e)  Issuer&#8217;s telephone number, including area code&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;(f)   Approximate date on which the securities are to be sold</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">2 . (a)   Name of person for whose account the securities are to be sold</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(g)  Name of each securities exchange, if any, on which the securities are intended to be sold</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:18px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(b)  Such person&#8217;s relationship to the issuer (e.g., officer, director, 10%</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:18px;text-indent:17px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">stockholder, or member of immediate family of any of the foregoing) (c)   Such person&#8217;s address, including zip code</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;padding-left:233px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;padding-left:233px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;">Potential  persons  who  are  to  respond  to  the  collection  of  information  contained  in  this  form  are  not</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:233px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;">required  to  respond  unless  the  form  displays  a  currently  valid  OMB  control  number.</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;                                   </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">SEC 1147 (08-07</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;</font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:center;text-indent:288px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">TABLE I -- SECURITIES TO BE SOLD</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:193px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Furnish the following information with respect to the acquisition of the securities to be sold</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:156px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">and with respect to the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or other consideration therefor:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="7"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:9%;"></td><td style="width:9%;"></td><td style="width:26%;"></td><td style="width:23%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:9%;"></td><td style="width:14%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Title of the Class</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:0px;padding-left:13px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Date you</font></div><div 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style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">(If gift, also give date donor acquired)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:12px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Amount of Securities Acquired</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:0px;padding-left:16px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Date of</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;padding-left:13px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Payment</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Nature of Payment</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Common Stock</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">02/10/2016</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Pursuant to employee compensation plan registered on Form S-8</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">NorthWestern Corporation</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">17,522</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">02/10/2016</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Incentive compensation</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:129px;text-indent:-124px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;">INSTRUCTIONS:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">If the securities were purchased and full payment therefor was not made in cash at the time of purchase, explain in the table or in a note thereto the nature of the consideration given. If the consideration consisted of any note or other obligation, or if payment was made in installments describe the arrangement and state when the note or other obligation was discharged in full or the last installment paid.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:192px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">TABLE II -- SECURITIES SOLD DURING THE PAST 3 MONTHS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Furnish the following information as to all securities of the issuer sold during the past 3 months by the person for whose account the securities are to be sold.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="5"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:41%;"></td><td style="width:26%;"></td><td style="width:9%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:14%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Name and Address of Seller</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Title of Securities Sold</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Date of Sale</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-top:3px;text-align:center;padding-left:12px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Amount of</font></div><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:center;padding-left:12px;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Securities Sold</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">Gross Proceeds</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:65px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:65px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:65px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:65px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:65px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;">REMARKS:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:9pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(1)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Based on NorthWestern Corporation common stock closing price of $56.60 on September 13, 2016.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:9pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(2)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">As reported in Form 10-Q filed July 22, 2016; outstanding as of July 15, 2016.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:49%;"></td><td style="width:3%;"></td><td style="width:48%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">INSTRUCTIONS:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ATTENTION: </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-style:italic;">The person for whose account the securities to which this notice relates are to be sold hereby represents by signing this notice that he does not know any material adverse information in regard  to the current and prospective operations of the Issuer of the securities to be sold which has not been  publicly disclosed. If such person has adopted  a written trading plan or given trading instructions to satisfy  Rule10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, by signing the form and indicating the date that the plan was adopted or the instruction given, that person makes such representation as of the plan adoption or instruction date</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:0px;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">See the definition of &#8220;person&#8221; in paragraph (a) of Rule 144. Information is to be given not only as to the person for whose account the securities are to be sold but also as to all other persons included in that definition. In addition, information shall be given as to sales by all persons whose sales are required by paragraph (e) of Rule 144 to be aggregated with sales for the account of the person filing this notice.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:7%;"></td><td style="width:32%;"></td><td style="width:17%;"></td><td style="width:44%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:1px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">September 16, 2016</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Robert C. Rowe</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">DATE OF NOTICE</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:2px;text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">(SIGNATURE)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-top:4px;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;font-style:italic;">The  notice  shall  be  signed  by  the  person  for  whose  account  the  securities  are  to  be  sold.   At  least  one  copy of  the  notice  shall  be  manually  signed. Any  copies  not  manually  signed  shall  bear  typed  or  printed  signatures.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">DATE  OF  PLAN  ADOPTION  OR  GIVING  OF  INSTRUCTION, IF  RELYING  ON  RULE  10B5-1</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:100%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">ATTENTION:  </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Intentional misstatements or omission of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">.</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;1001)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:right;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">SEC  1147  (02-08)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "144", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form144rowesept162016.htm", "description": "144 ROWE SEPT 19 2016", "secsgml_size_bytes": 52819}]
text: Document
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 144
  NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES
  PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  ATTENTION:
  Transmit for filing 3 copies of this form concurrently with either placing an order with  a broker to execute sale or executing a sale directly with a market maker.
  OMB APPROVAL
  OMB Number:        3235-0101 Expires:              May 31, 2017 Estimated average burden  hours per response ...........1.00
  SEC USE ONLY
  DOCUMENT SEQUENCE NO.
  CUSIP NUMBER
  1
  (a)
  NAME OF ISSUER
  (Please type or print)
  NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
  (b)
  IRS IDENT. NO.
  46-0172280
  (c)
  S.E.C. FILE NO.
  1-10499
  WORK LOCATION
  1
  (d)
  ADDRESS OF ISSUER
  STREET
  CITY
  STATE
  ZIP
  (e)
  TELEPHONE NO.
  3010 W. 69
  TH
  STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108
  605
  978-2900
  2 (a) NAME OF PERSON FOR WHOSE ACCOUNT THE SECURITIES ARE TO BE SOLD
  Robert C. Rowe
  (b) RELATIONSHIP TO ISSUER
  CEO and DIRECTOR
  (c)
  ADDRESS STREET
  CITY
  STATE
  ZIP CODE
  3010 W. 69
  TH
  STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108
  INSTRUCTION:
  The person filing this notice should contact the issuer to obtain the I.R.S. Identification Number and the S.E.C. File Number.
  3
  (a)
  Title of the Class of Securities To Be Sold
  (b)
  Name and Address of Each Broker Through Whom the Securities are to be Offered or Each Market Maker who is Acquiring the Securities
  SEC USE ONLY
  (c)
  Number of Shares or Other Units To Be Sold
  (See instr. 3(c))
  (d)
  Aggregate Market Value
  (See instr. 3(d))
  (e)
  Number of Shares or Other Units Outstanding
  (See instr. 3(e))
  (f)
  Approximate
  Date of Sale
  (See instr. 3(f))
  (MO.   DAY   YR.)
  (g)
  Name of Each Securities Exchange
  (See instr. 3(g))
  Broker-Dealer
  File Number
  Common Stock
  Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
  2 Contra Way T2L
  Merrimack, NH 03054
  6,022
  $340,845
  (1)
  48,311,224
  (2)
  9/19/16
  NYSE
  INSTRUCTIONS:
  3.     (a)   Title of the class of securities to be sold
  1. (a)  Name of issuer
  (b)  Name and address of each broker through whom the securities are intended to be sold
  (b)  Issuer's I.R.S. Identification Number
  (c)  Number of shares or other units to be sold (if debt securities, give the aggregate face amount)
  (c)  Issuer's S.E.C. file number, if any
  (d)  Aggregate market value of the securities to be sold as of a specified date within 10 days prior to the filing of this notice
  (d)  Issuer's address, including zip code
  (e)  Number of shares or other units of the class outstanding, or if debt securities the face amount thereof outstanding, as shown by the most recent report or statement published by the issuer
  (e)  Issuer's telephone number, including area code        (f)   Approximate date on which the securities are to be sold
  2 . (a)   Name of person for whose account the securities are to be sold
  (g)  Name of each securities exchange, if any, on which the securities are intended to be sold
  (b)  Such person's relationship to the issuer (e.g., officer, director, 10%
  stockholder, or member of immediate family of any of the foregoing) (c)   Such person's address, including zip code
  Potential  persons  who  are  to  respond  to  the  collection  of  information  contained  in  this  form  are  not
  required  to  respond  unless  the  form  displays  a  currently  valid  OMB  control  number.
  SEC 1147 (08-07
  )
  TABLE I -- SECURITIES TO BE SOLD
  Furnish the following information with respect to the acquisition of the securities to be sold
  and with respect to the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or other consideration therefor:
  Title of the Class
  Date you
  Acquired
  Nature of Acquisition Transaction
  Name of Person from Whom Acquired
  (If gift, also give date donor acquired)
  Amount of Securities Acquired
  Date of
  Payment
  Nature of Payment
  Common Stock
  02/10/2016
  Pursuant to employee compensation plan registered on Form S-8
  NorthWestern Corporation
  17,522
  02/10/2016
  Incentive compensation
  INSTRUCTIONS:
  If the securities were purchased and full payment therefor was not made in cash at the time of purchase, explain in the table or in a note thereto the nature of the consideration given. If the consideration consisted of any note or other obligation, or if payment was made in installments describe the arrangement and state when the note or other obligation was discharged in full or the last installment paid.
  TABLE II -- SECURITIES SOLD DURING THE PAST 3 MONTHS
  Furnish the following information as to all securities of the issuer sold during the past 3 months by the person for whose account the securities are to be sold.
  Name and Address of Seller
  Title of Securities Sold
  Date of Sale
  Amount of
  Securities Sold
  Gross Proceeds
  REMARKS:
  (1)
  Based on NorthWestern Corporation common stock closing price of $56.60 on September 13, 2016.
  (2)
  As reported in Form 10-Q filed July 22, 2016; outstanding as of July 15, 2016.
  INSTRUCTIONS:
  ATTENTION:
  The person for whose account the securities to which this notice relates are to be sold hereby represents by signing this notice that he does not know any material adverse information in regard  to the current and prospective operations of the Issuer of the securities to be sold which has not been  publicly disclosed. If such person has adopted  a written trading plan or given trading instructions to satisfy  Rule10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, by signing the form and indicating the date that the plan was adopted or the instruction given, that person makes such representation as of the plan adoption or instruction date
  See the definition of "person" in paragraph (a) of Rule 144. Information is to be given not only as to the person for whose account the securities are to be sold but also as to all other persons included in that definition. In addition, information shall be given as to sales by all persons whose sales are required by paragraph (e) of Rule 144 to be aggregated with sales for the account of the person filing this notice.
  September 16, 2016
  /s/ Robert C. Rowe
  DATE OF NOTICE
  (SIGNATURE)
  The  notice  shall  be  signed  by  the  person  for  whose  account  the  securities  are  to  be  sold.   At  least  one  copy of  the  notice  shall  be  manually  signed. Any  copies  not  manually  signed  shall  bear  typed  or  printed  signatures.
  DATE  OF  PLAN  ADOPTION  OR  GIVING  OF  INSTRUCTION, IF  RELYING  ON  RULE  10B5-1
  ATTENTION:
  Intentional misstatements or omission of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C
  .
  1001)
  SEC  1147  (02-08)