Northwestern Corporation announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. The company reported that net income was $37.9 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared with net income of $32.0 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Total revenues were $313,020,000 against $309,100,000 a year ago. Operating income was $57,010,000 against $55,033,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $42,946,000 against $40,055,000 a year ago. Net income was $37,902,000 or $1.01 per diluted share against $32,043,000 or $0.88 per diluted share a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities was $111,880,000 against $119,925,000 a year ago. NorthWestern reaffirms its 2013 earnings to be $2.40 - 2.55 per diluted share. Basic assumptions include the following expectations: a consolidated income tax rate of approximately 12% of pre-tax income; Colstrip Unit 4, Big Stone, and Coyote generation plants are scheduled for routine maintenance during second quarter of 2013; diluted average shares outstanding of 38.1 million; and normal weather in the Company's electric and natural gas service territories for the remainder of 2013.

Northwestern Corporation's board of directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.38 per share, payable June 30, 2013, to common shareholders of record as of June 14, 2013.

NorthWestern Energy announced that it has begun working on a development agreement with Butte-Silver Bow local government that could lead to the construction of a five-story, 110,000-square-foot General Office building and possible development of a local government-owned parking facility in uptown Butte. The proposed location of the building, which could cost about $23 million, is on the northeast corner of the intersection of Park and Main, currently the site of the publicly owned Heritage Plaza. Through the potential development agreement, NorthWestern would assume ownership of the plaza property, while Butte-Silver Bow would take ownership of NorthWestern's existing General Office building at 40 E. Broadway.