<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000067716-13-000057.txt : 20131204
<SEC-HEADER>0000067716-13-000057.hdr.sgml : 20131204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130513154349
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000067716-13-000057
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130513

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MDU RESOURCES GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000067716
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MINING, QUARRYING OF NONMETALLIC MINERALS (NO FUELS) [1400]
		IRS NUMBER:				410423660
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1200 WEST CENTURY AVENUE
		CITY:			BISMARCK
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58503
		BUSINESS PHONE:		701-530-1059

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1200 WEST CENTURY AVENUE
		CITY:			BISMARCK
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58503

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MONTANA DAKOTA UTILITIES CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850429
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
	<head>
		<!-- Document created using WebFilings 1 -->
		<!-- Copyright 2008-2013 WebFilings LLC. All Rights Reserved -->
		<title>Wdesk | 5-13-2013SECresponseletter</title>
	</head>
	<body style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">
<a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU Resources Group, Inc.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">1200 West Century Avenue</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Bismarck, ND 58503</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:6pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:6pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Mailing Address:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">P.O. Box 5650</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Bismarck, ND 58506-5650</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">(701) 530-1000</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">By EDGAR Transmission and Federal Express</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins, Senior Assistant Chief Accountant</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Office of Beverages, Apparel, and Mining </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">100 F Street NE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Washington, D.C.  20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Re: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;MDU Resources Group, Inc. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed February 28, 2013 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">File No. 001-03480</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Dear Ms. Jenkins:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">On behalf of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU or the Company), we hereby submit MDU's responses to the comments of the staff (the Staff) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) set forth in the Staff's letter, dated April&#160;15, 2013, with respect to the above referenced periodic report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">For the convenience of the Staff, each of the Staff's comments is included and is followed by the corresponding response of MDU. References in this letter to "we," "us" and "our" refer to MDU unless the context indicates otherwise.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We believe that our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&#160;31, 2012 (2012&#160;Form 10-K) provides investors with full and transparent disclosure sufficient to give an understanding of our business. We propose to incorporate your comments, as applicable, on a prospective basis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&#160;31, 2013 (2013 Form 10-K).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">As requested in your letter, we acknowledge that:</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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;</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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and </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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.</font></div></td></tr></table><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 2</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Consolidated Financial Statements</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Note&#160;1 &#8211; Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, page 68</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">1.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We note that you recognized write-downs of oil and gas properties of $392&#160;million in 2012. We also note your disclosure on page 69 that the ceiling is calculated as the present value of future net cash flows from proved reserves discounted at 10&#160;percent (i.e., the standardized measure), plus the cost of unproved properties and less applicable income taxes. The data in your tables on page 109 show that total costs capitalized for oil and gas properties is $1,340&#160;million as of December&#160;31, 2012 which exceeded your standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows plus the cost of unproved properties and tax basis adjustment. Please reconcile and explain what is driving the differences in your disclosures. Please add clarifying disclosures in future filings and provide us with a draft of your proposed disclosures.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">MDU Response</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">:  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We followed the guidance in Rule 4-10(c)(4) of Regulation S-X and SAB Topic 12D in calculating the ceiling test. As such, our capitalized costs, less associated deferred taxes, were limited to the cost ceiling. The differences between the cost ceiling and the standardized measure relate to unproved property not being amortized, the effects of derivative contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges, future cash flows associated with settling asset retirement obligations (AROs), the income tax effects of such, and the difference in the way the income taxes are computed for each. Following is additional explanation around the literature we used in making our calculations and a reconciliation of the difference.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:2px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">In following the guidance in SAB Topic 12D in calculating the cost ceiling, we included the cost of unproved property not being amortized, included the effects of derivative contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges, excluded future cash outflows associated with settling AROs that have been accrued on the balance sheet from the computation of the present value of estimated future net revenues, and used the &#8220;shortcut&#8221; method to calculate income tax for purposes of calculating the cost ceiling.</font></div><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 3</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We used the following past correspondence from the SEC in helping aid our interpretation of the standardized measure calculation:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">On March 31, 2001, the Staff issued its Frequently Requested Accounting and Financial Reporting Interpretations and Guidance [Section F.3.(j)], which included the following: (j) The calculation of the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to oil and gas properties must comply with paragraph 30 of SFAS 69.  The effects of income taxes, like all other elements of the measure, must be discounted at the standard rate of 10% pursuant to paragraph 30(e).  The &#8220;short-cut&#8221; method for determining the tax effect on the ceiling test for companies using the full-cost method of accounting, as described in SAB Topic 12:D:1, Question 2, may not be used for purposes of the paragraph 30 calculation of the standardized measure.  As such, we did not use the &#8220;short-cut&#8221; method for determining the tax effect in the standardized measure calculation.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">In February 2004, the Staff  issued a letter to oil and gas companies which, among other issues, discussed the impact of accounting for AROs on the standardized measure. The Staff expressed the view that the future cash outflows related to AROs should be included in the standardized measure calculations. As such, we included cash outflows related to AROs in our standardized measure calculation.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Our capitalized costs, less associated deferred taxes, were limited to the cost ceiling. The difference between our cost ceiling used in the ceiling test calculation and the standardized measure of future net cash flows of $312 million is attributable to:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the cost of unproved property not being amortized included in the cost ceiling and excluded from the standardized measure calculation ($192 million)</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the positive impact of cash flow hedges included in the cost ceiling and excluded from the standardized measure calculation ($21 million)</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the exclusion of future cash outflows associated with settling AROs that have been accrued on the balance sheet in the cost ceiling and the inclusion of such in the standardized measure calculation ($44 million), and</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">the differences in estimated future income taxes in the two calculations due to the aforementioned items, as well as the use of the short-cut method in the cost ceiling ($55 million, net)</font></div></td></tr></table><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 4</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We propose to include additional clarifying disclosures on a prospective basis beginning with our 2013 Form 10-K, within our significant accounting policies footnote. The additional clarification proposed is that the full cost ceiling excludes future cash outflows from proved reserves associated with AROs that are accrued on the balance sheet and the cost ceiling includes the effects of cash flow hedging. In addition, within the standardized measure disclosure, we propose to add language to disclose that cash outflows associated with AROs are included in the standardized measure. The proposed clarifying language is as follows (new information has been underlined):</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14pt;">Note&#160;1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Oil and natural gas properties</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The Company uses the full-cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas production activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized and amortized on the units-of-production method based on total proved reserves. Any conveyances of properties, including gains or losses on abandonments of properties, are generally treated as adjustments to the cost of the properties with no gain or loss recognized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Capitalized costs are subject to a "ceiling test" that limits such costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net cash flows from proved reserves discounted at 10 percent, as mandated under the rules of the SEC, plus the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">plus the effects of cash flow hedges</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">, less applicable income taxes. Proved reserves and associated future cash flows are determined based on SEC Defined Prices </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">and exclude cash outflows associated with asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">. If capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, exceed the full-cost ceiling at the end of any quarter, a permanent noncash write-down is required to be charged to earnings in that quarter regardless of subsequent price changes.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14pt;">Supplementary Financial Information</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Exploration and Production Activities (Unaudited)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The estimated discounted future cash inflows from estimated future production of proved reserves were computed using prices as previously discussed. Future </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:line-through;">development and</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#32;production </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">and development</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#32;costs, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">which include asset retirement costs,</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#32;attributable to proved reserves were computed by applying year-end costs to be incurred in producing and further developing the proved reserves. Future income tax expenses were computed by applying statutory tax rates</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">&#32;to the estimated net future </font></div><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 5</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">pretax cash flows less the tax basis of the oil and gas properties</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">, adjusted for permanent differences and tax credits</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:line-through;">, to estimated net future pretax cash flows</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Goodwill, page 69</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">2.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We note your disclosure that reporting units are your operating segments, or components of an operating segment, that constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which your chief executive officer and other management regularly review the operating results. Please discuss how your policy compares to the guidance in ASC&#160;350-20-35-34 and tell us how many reporting units you identified and tested for impairment.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">MDU Response</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">:  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Our policy is in accordance with the guidance in ASC 350-20-35-34 in that we evaluate: </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">a.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Whether the component constitutes a business</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">b.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Whether &#8220;discrete financial information&#8221; is available for the component</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:138%;font-size:12pt;padding-left:72px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">c.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Whether segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The determination of whether a component constitutes a business is based on whether it contains all of the inputs and processes necessary for it to continue normal operations. All of the reporting units we have identified meet this criteria.</font></div><div style="line-height:138%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Discrete financial information, which consists of a balance sheet and income statement, is available for each component.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-43px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Segment management is defined in ASC 280-10-50-7 as either a level below or the same level as the chief operating decision maker. Our operating results are regularly reviewed for each component by segment management in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the business and to assess its performance. Segment management consists of a President, who reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer of MDU Resources Group, Inc., along with an executive team that supports the President. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-43px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We have and will continue to use segment management to review operating results for each component in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the business and to assess its performance. Therefore, we propose to modify our disclosure as follows to clarify that it is segment management that regularly reviews the operating</font></div><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 6</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">results of each component on a prospective basis beginning with our 2013 Form 10-K (new information has been underlined):</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-43px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The Company has determined that the reporting units for its goodwill impairment test are its operating segments, or components of an operating segment, that constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which the Company&#8217;s chief executive officer </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:line-through;">and</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">&#32;or segment </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:line-through;">other</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#32;management regularly review the operating results.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-43px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We have identified four reporting units that have goodwill that are tested for impairment. The four reporting units are natural gas distribution, construction materials and contracting, construction services and pipeline and storage group.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Note&#160;16 &#8211; Employee Benefit Plans, page 94 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></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:12pt;padding-left:24px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">3.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">We note that you had amendments to your postretirement benefits plan and recorded prior service cost credits of $11.4&#160;million in accumulated other comprehensive income at December&#160;31, 2012. Please tell us and add disclosure in future filings regarding your accounting policy for amortizing prior service costs in accumulated other comprehensive income. Provide us with a draft of your proposed disclosures.  <br> </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;<br></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">MDU Response</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">:  </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Our policy for amortizing prior service costs in accumulated other comprehensive income is to amortize those costs on a straight line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants. We propose to disclose our accounting policy for amortizing prior service costs in our Employee Benefit Plans footnote on a prospective basis beginning with our 2013 Form 10-K. The proposed disclosure would read as follows:</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">Prior service cost is amortized on a straight line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants.</font></div><br><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s099A5513EA5F5F66D1AC9EA40923F02E"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Ms. Tia L. Jenkins </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">May 13, 2013</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Page 7</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">If you would like to discuss any of the responses to the Staff's comments or if you would like to discuss any other matters, please contact me at (701) 530-1035.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;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;width:97.22222222222221%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td width="33%"></td><td width="10%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="55%"></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="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Sincerely,</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;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</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="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.</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;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</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;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</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;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;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="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</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="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="text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">BY:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;text-decoration:underline;">/s/ Nicole A. Kivisto</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="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="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="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Nicole A. Kivisto</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="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="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="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Vice President, Controller and</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="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="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="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#160;Chief Accounting Officer</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">c:&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Jamie Kessel, United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Nasreen Mohammed, United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Christopher Swanson, Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Walter Godlewski, Cohen Tauber Spievack &amp; Wagner PC</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Doran Schwartz, MDU Resources Group, Inc.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><br><div></div>	</body>
</html>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
