(1)

Shares are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective October 29, 2003 and the July 26, 2006 stock split. Perquisites and Tax Gross-Ups - ----------------------------- Our named executive officers have limited perquisites, which may include personal use of our plane, limited accompaniment of family members with executives traveling for business purposes, reasonable vehicle allowances, home office allowances and subsidized annual physical examinations. In connection with Martin White's retirement in August 2006, we paid the cost of travel for members of Mr. White's family to attend his retirement party and also provided a tax gross-up to Mr. White on this amount. While the company has rarely provided tax gross-ups, the board believed that it was appropriate in recognition of Mr. White's very successful tenure as our chairman and chief executive officer. Pension Plan - ------------ Effective 2006, we no longer offer pensions to new employees. Instead, executives and other employees are offered increased company contributions to our 401(k) plan. The pension plans continue in effect for all employees hired before 2006. We provide our executives and other employees hired before 2006 with income for their retirement through our qualified defined benefit pension plans, where benefits are determined by years of service and base salary. For benefits under the pension plans, 35 years is the maximum number of years of service the participants in these plans can accrue. Pension benefits are determined by the step-rate formula that emphasizes the highest consecutive 60 months of base salary within the last 10 years of service. Employees who retire early receive reduced benefits under the pension plans. We discuss other material terms of the pension plans later in this proxy statement. Because benefits under our pension plan increase with an employee's period of service and earnings, we believe the pension encourages our employees to make long-term commitments to the company, and as such, serves as an important retention tool. Supplemental Income Security Plan - --------------------------------- We also offer certain key managers and executives, including all of our named executive officers, benefits under our nonqualified retirement plan, which we refer to as the Supplemental Income Security Plan or SISP. The SISP was adopted in 1982 to provide participants with additional retirement income and death benefits. The additional retirement income may take two forms: o a supplemental retirement benefit payable for fifteen years beginning at the later of age 65 or after employment ends and o an additional retirement benefit to offset the Internal Revenue Code limitations placed on benefits payable under our qualified defined benefit pension plans. If eligible, the participants receive this retirement benefit after they separate from the company and until they reach age 65. In order to be eligible to receive the additional retirement 35 benefit, they must vest in their pension benefit, which requires five years of service, and their pension must be limited by the Internal Revenue Code. Mr. Harp has an additional qualification in that he must remain employed until age 60 in order to receive this additional retirement benefit. A death benefit is provided if SISP participants die before their supplemental retirement benefits commence or if they elect to receive death benefits in lieu of all or a part of their supplemental retirement benefits. We discuss the other terms of the SISP later in the proxy statement. In November 2006, we amended the SISP to give the compensation committee the responsibility of selecting participants and establishing levels of participation. The committee's selections are based on recommendations from the chief executive officer. Previously, the chief executive officer selected participants in the SISP and their level of participation. Participation, as well as the level of participation, was solely at the discretion of the chief executive officer and was intended to reward those who made significant contributions to our success and profitability. In November 2005, certain named executive officers received upgrades to their SISP levels that became effective on January 1, 2006. The upgrades, along with the chief executive officer's rationale for the upgrades, are summarized in the following table:

(1) Mr. White did not receive an upgrade to his SISP level. In 2003, we considered increasing the retirement benefits provided under the SISP, and we engaged Towers Perrin to compare the retirement benefits provided under the SISP to similar plans provided by companies in our performance graph peer group. Towers Perrin's analysis showed that the retirement benefits provided by the SISP were higher, as a percentage of final annual compensation, than supplemental retirement benefits provided by most of the companies in the performance graph peer group, assuming final annual compensation of $200,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 and length of service of 15, 20, 25 or 30 years. The extent to which the benefits under the SISP exceeded benefits provided by the other companies depended on the level of final annual compensation and years of service assumed. Based on Towers Perrin's findings, we determined that the SISP benefits should not be increased; however, because of the SISP's importance to our success in recruitment and retention of exceptional executive talent, the SISP benefit levels were maintained. To encourage Mr. Harp to remain with the company through 2007, on November 16, 2006, upon recommendation of our chief executive officer and the compensation committee, our board of directors approved an additional retirement benefit for Mr. Harp. The benefit provides for Mr. Harp to receive payments that represent the equivalent of an additional three years of service under the pension plan and the SISP if he does not resign or retire before January 2, 2008 and if he has acceptable successors in place prior to his departure. The additional three years of service recognize Mr. Harp's previous employment with a subsidiary of the company. If Mr. Harp were to retire or resign on January 2, 2008, and live to age 81, the equivalent of the additional three years of service under the pension plan would yield total payments to Mr. Harp of $421,462 over his lifetime. The equivalent of the additional three years of service under the SISP would yield aggregate total payments over 15 years to Mr. Harp of $874,440 beginning at age 65, assuming he does not die before age 65. 37 Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits We have entered into change of control employment agreements with each of our Section 16 officers, including our named executive officers. We believe it is important to provide an inducement for our executive officers to continue working for us during any change of control transition periods and to provide severance benefits if employment is terminated in connection with a change of control. If a change of control should occur, each agreement provides for a three-year employment period from the date of the change of control. During the employment period, the executive officer receives guaranteed minimum levels of compensation and benefits and severance benefits. In addition if the company or a successor terminates the executive officer's employment without cause or if the executive officer resigns for good reason, in either case, during the employment period or prior to the employment period if the termination is deemed to be related to the change of control, the executive officer is entitled to receive three times base salary and bonus as well as other amounts. The change of control employment agreements define "change of control" to include: o an individual, entity or group acquiring 20% or more of our voting securities o a turnover in a majority of our board of directors without the approval of a majority of the directors who were members of the board as of the agreement date or whose election was approved by such board members o consummation of a merger or consolidation, unless our stockholders immediately prior to the merger beneficially own more than 60% of the outstanding shares and voting power of the resulting corporation after the merger or o the stockholders approving liquidation or dissolution of the company. Having the actual consummation of a merger or similar transaction rather than the stockholder approval date is a conservative trigger and prevents payouts from being made prematurely, in the event consummation were not to occur. The agreements contain what are commonly referred to as "13th month triggers," which provide that a resignation for good reason includes resignation for any reason during the 30 day period beginning on the first anniversary of the change of control. The compensation committee believes that providing severance benefits for terminations without cause or for good reason limits the provision of severance benefits to situations where an executive officer's employment is terminated due to the change of control and through no fault of the executive. The compensation committee believes the 13th month trigger encourages executive officers to remain with the company or a successor during the critical year-long transition period following a transaction, which is beneficial to the company and its stockholders, and protects executive officers who choose to so continue employment. The agreements also provide what is commonly referred to as a modified tax gross-up. This provides for an additional payment to make an executive whole for federal excise taxes on excess parachute payments, unless the excess parachute payments are not more than 110% of the 38 safe harbor amount. In that case, the payments to the executive would be reduced to the safe harbor amount. The board of directors and the compensation committee reviewed the change of control agreements in 2006. We compared the terms of our change of control agreements to those of certain members of our performance graph peer group and to the Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., 2005 Change-in-Control Report, Prevalence and Design of Executive Change-in-Control Arrangements at Each of the Top 50 NYSE and NASDAQ Companies. The compensation committee determined that the terms of the agreement were consistent with current practice and in the best interests of the stockholders because the agreement provides an incentive for executives to remain employed through any change of control. In addition to these agreements, the terms of the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan call for accelerated vesting of awards previously granted but not yet vested at the time of a change of control and payment of performance awards. In the case of any termination of employment, the compensation committee may also consider providing severance benefits on a case-by-case basis. The compensation committee adopted a checklist of factors in February 2005 to consider when determining whether any such severance benefits will be made upon termination.

PEER4 ~~analysi$~~Analysi$: Comparison of Pay for Performance Ratios

Each year we compare our named executive ~~officers'~~officers’ pay for performance ratios to the pay for performance ratios of the named executive officers in the performance graph peer group. This analysis looks at the relationship between our compensation levels and our average annual total stockholder return in comparison to the peer group over a five-year period. All data used in the analysis, including the valuation of long-term incentives and calculation of stockholder return, were compiled by Equilar, Inc., an independent service provider, which uses each ~~company's~~company’s annual filings as a basis of ~~their~~its data collection.

This analysis consisted of ~~comparing~~dividing what we paid our named executive officers for the years ~~2001~~2004 through ~~2005 to~~2008 by our average annual total stockholder return for the same five-year ~~period.~~period to yield our pay ratio. Our pay ratio was then compared to the pay ratio of the companies in the performance graph peer group, which was calculated by dividing total direct compensation for all the proxy group executives by the sum of each ~~company's~~company’s average annual total stockholder return for the same five-year period. The results are shown in the following chart.

5 Year Total Direct Compensation to 5 Year Total Stockholder Return* - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MDU Resources Group, Performance Graph Peer Inc. Group - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dollars of Total Direct $3,084,702 $5,777,577 Compensation(1) per point of - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------

		MDU Resources Group, Inc. ($)			Performance Graph Peer Group ($)
Dollars of Total Direct Compensation1 per Point of Total Stockholder Return			5,489,386			5,390,223

(1)

Total direct compensation is the sum of annual base salaries, annual incentives, the value of long-term incentives at grant and all other compensation as reported in the proxy statements. For 2006, 2007 and 2008, total direct compensation also includes the change in pension values and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings as reported in the proxy statements.

*The chart is not deemed filed or a part of this compensation discussion and analysis for certification purposes. 39 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Stockholder Return - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Total direct compensation is the sum of annual base salaries, annual incentives, the value of long-term incentives at grant and other compensation as reported in the proxy statements.

The results of the analysis showed that we paid our named executive officers ~~significantly less~~slightly more than what the peer group companies paid their named executive officers for comparable levels of stockholder return over the five-year period. Specifically, as indicated in the chart, the data shows that we paid our named ~~executives~~executive officers approximately ~~$2.7 million less~~$99,000 more per point of stockholder return than our performance graph peer group. We have been conducting our PEER4 Analysi$ since 2004.

Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits

Pension Plans

Effective 2006, we no longer offer defined benefit pension plans to new non-bargaining unit employees. The defined benefit plans available to employees hired before 2006 were amended to cease benefit accruals after December 31, 2009. The frozen benefit provided through our qualified defined benefit pension plans is determined by years of service and base salary. Effective 2010 for those employees who were participants in defined benefit pension plans and for executives and other employees hired after 2006, the company offers increased company contributions to our 401(k) plan.

Supplemental Income Security Plan

Benefits Offered

We offer certain key managers and executives, including all of our named executive officers, benefits under our non-qualified retirement plan, which we refer to as the Supplemental Income Security Plan or SISP. The SISP has a ten-year vesting schedule and was amended to add an additional vesting requirement for benefit level increases occurring on or after

January 1, 2010. The SISP provides participants with additional retirement income and death benefits. The additional retirement income may take two forms:

	•	a supplemental retirement benefit payable for fifteen years beginning at the later of age 65 or after employment ends. The company amended this portion of the benefit to reflect a 20% reduction in future benefit levels for employees who join the plan on or after January 1, 2010 or for current participants who receive benefit level increases on or after January 1, 2010.
	•	an additional retirement benefit to offset the Internal Revenue Code limitations placed on benefits payable under our qualified defined benefit pension plans. The company amended the additional retirement benefit to no longer allow new participants and to cease benefit accruals for existing participants after December 31, 2009. If eligible, the participants receive this retirement benefit after they separate from the company and until they reach age 65. In order to be eligible to receive the additional retirement benefit, participants must vest in their pension benefit, which requires five years of service, and their pension must be limited by the Internal Revenue Code. Mr. Harp has an additional qualification in that he must remain employed until age 60 in order to receive this additional retirement benefit.

A death benefit is provided if SISP participants die before their supplemental retirement benefits commence or if they elect to receive death benefits in lieu of all or a part of their supplemental retirement benefits. The death benefit is payable for 15 years.

We believe the SISP is critical in retaining the talent necessary to drive long-term stockholder value. In addition, we believe that the 10-year vesting provision of the SISP, augmented by an additional three years of vesting for benefit level increases occurring on or after January 1, 2010, helps promote retention of key executive officers.

Benefit Level Increases

The chief executive officer recommends benefit level increases to the compensation committee ~~believes this comparison helps demonstrate~~for participants except himself. The chief executive officer considers, among other things, the participant’s salary in relation to the salary ranges that correspond with the SISP benefit levels, the participant’s performance, the performance of the applicable business unit or the company, and the cost associated with the benefit level increase.

Each November, the compensation committee considers SISP benefit level increases for the upcoming year as recommended by the chief executive officer and also considers benefit level increases for the chief executive officer. In November 2008, Messrs. Raile, Harp, and Bietz each received an increase in their SISP benefit levels, which were effective on January 1, 2009. The benefit level increases recognized each named executive’s contribution to the success of the company and individual business unit, where applicable. The committee, however, approved the chief executive officer’s recommendation to limit the benefit increases for Messrs. Harp and Bietz to a level below the levels that corresponded to each named executive’s base salary. The chief executive officer’s rationale was to limit additional costs associated with the benefit level increases in light of the uncertain economic times. The committee believed Mr. Hildestad’s benefit level was appropriate and therefore did not grant him an increase.

In November 2009, Messrs. Harp, Schneider, and Bietz each received an increase in their SISP benefit levels which was effective on December 1, 2009. The committee’s rationale for Messrs. Harp and Bietz’s benefit level increases was recognition of their continued contribution to the financial success of the company and to bring their SISP benefit levels in line with their current salary. Mr. Schneider was awarded a benefit level increase to one level above the level corresponding to his current base salary in recognition of his leadership in the financial turnaround of Knife River Corporation. The following table reflects our ~~stockholders receive good value for our~~named executive ~~compensation expense.~~ officers’ SISP levels, including the changes effective December 1, 2009:

	January 1, 2009 Annual SISP Benefits				December 31, 2009 Annual SISP Benefits

Name	Survivors ($)		Retirement ($)		Survivors ($)		Retirement ($)
Terry D. Hildestad		1,025,040		512,520		1,025,040		512,520
Vernon A. Raile		548,400		274,200		548,400		274,200
John G. Harp		468,600		234,300		548,400		274,200
William E. Schneider		468,600		234,300		548,400		274,200
Steven L. Bietz		328,080		164,040		386,640		193,320

Clawback We

In November 2005, we implemented a guideline for repayment of incentives due to accounting restatements, commonly referred to as a clawback policy, ~~in November 2005~~ whereby the compensation committee may seek repayment of annual and long-term incentives paid to executives if accounting restatements occur within three years after the payment of incentives under the annual and long-term plans. Under our clawback policy, the compensation committee may require employees to forfeit awards and may rescind vesting, or the acceleration of vesting, of an award.

Impact of Tax and Accounting Treatment

The compensation committee may consider the impact of tax and/or accounting treatment in determining compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation paid to certain officers that we may deduct as a business expense in any tax year unless, among other things, the compensation qualifies as performance-based compensation, as that term is used in Section 162(m). Generally, long-term incentive compensation and annual incentive awards for our chief executive officer and those executive officers whose overall compensation is likely to exceed ~~$1,000,000~~$1 million are structured to be deductible for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, but we may pay compensation to an executive officer that is not deductible. ~~Approximately $120,000~~All annual or long-term incentive compensation paid to ~~Mr. Harp~~our named executive officers for 2009 satisfied the requirements for deductibility.

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code imposes additional income taxes on executive officers for certain types of deferred compensation if the deferral does not comply with Section 409A. We have amended our compensation plans and arrangements affected by Section 409A with the objective of not triggering any additional income taxes under Section 409A.

Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an excise tax on payments to executives and others of amounts that are considered to be related to a change of control if they exceed levels specified in ~~2006 was~~Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The potential impact of the Section 4999 excise tax is addressed with the modified tax payment provisions in the change of control employment agreements, which are described earlier in this compensation discussion and analysis and later in the proxy statement under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.” We do not ~~deductible for purposes~~consider the potential impact of Section ~~162(m).~~ 4999 or 280G when designing our compensation programs.

The compensation committee also considers the accounting and cash flow implications of various forms of executive compensation. In our financial statements, we record salaries and annual incentive compensation as expenses in the amount paid, or to be paid, to the named executive officers. For our equity awards, accounting rules also require that we record an expense in our financial statements. We calculate the accounting expense of equity awards to employees in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

We instituted stock ownership guidelines on May 5, 1993, which we revised in February 2003, to encourage executives to own a multiple of their base salary in our common stock. All officers who participate in our Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan are subject to the guidelines. The guidelines call for the executive to reach the multiple within five years. Unvested performance shares and other unvested equity awards do not count towards the guidelines. In 2009, the compensation committee reviewed these guidelines against the performance graph peer companies who published ownership guidelines, and determined no change was necessary. Each February, the compensation committee receives a report on the status of stock holdings by executives. The table shows the named executive ~~officers~~officers’ holdings as of December 31, ~~2006: 40~~ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Name Guideline Actual Number of multiple of holdings as years at base salary a multiple guideline of base multiple salary ------------------------------------------------------------------ Martin A. White(1) - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------ Terry D. Hildestad 4 X 5.27 1.67 ------------------------------------------------------------------ William E. Schneider 3 X 3.67 4.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Warren L. Robinson(1) - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------ Vernon A. Raile 3 X 3.09 1.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------ John K. Castleberry 3 X 1.40 4.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------ John G. Harp 3 X 8.31 2.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Retired. 2009:

Name	Assigned Guideline Multiple of Base Salary	Actual Holdings as a Multiple of Base Salary	Number of Years at Guideline Multiple (#)
Terry D. Hildestad	4X	5.79	4.67
Vernon A. Raile	3X	2.96	4.00
John G. Harp	3X	4.06	5.25
William E. Schneider	3X	5.43	8.00
Steven L. Bietz	3X	3.95	7.33

The compensation committee may consider the guidelines and the ~~executive's~~executive’s stock ownership in determining compensation. The committee, however, did not do so with respect to ~~2006~~2009 compensation.

Policy Regarding Hedging Stock Ownership

In our Executive Compensation Policy, we adopted a policy that prohibits executives from hedging their ownership of company common stock. Executives may not enter into transactions that allow the executive to benefit from devaluation of our stock or otherwise own stock technically but without the full benefits and risks of such ownership. 41 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Reg. S-K, Item 402(b) with management. Based on the review and discussions referred to in the preceding sentence, the compensation committee recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our proxy statement on Schedule 14A.

Thomas Everist, Chairman

Karen B. Fagg

Thomas C. Knudson

Patricia L. Moss 42 ~~Summary Compensation Table for 2006~~

~~- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name~~
Summary Compensation Table for 2009

Name and Principal Position (a)	Year (b)	Salary ($) (c)	Bonus ($) (d)	Stock Awards ($) (e)(1)	Option Awards ($) (f)(1)	Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (g)	Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (h)(2)	All Other Compensation ($) (i)	Total ($) (j)

Terry D. Hildestad President and CEO	2009 2008	750,000 700,000	— —	1,117,861 1,200,485	— —	[•] 310,800	825,319 898,941	9,824(3) 9,476	[•] 3,119,702
Terry D. Hildestad President and CEO	2007	625,000	—	779,293	—	1,250,000	1,362,413	7,026	4,023,732

Vernon A. Raile Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO	2009 2008	450,000 400,000	— —	402,417 411,575	— —	[•] 115,440	695,177 498,210	8,124(3) 7,176	[•] 1,432,401
	2007	350,700	—	295,882	—	350,700	555,248	7,026	1,559,556


John G. Harp President and CEO of MDU Construction Services Group, Inc.	2009 2008	450,000 400,000	— —	402,417 411,575	— —	[•] (4) 720,000(5)	761,670(6) 338,774(6)	23,272(7) 23,230(7)	[•] 1,893,579
	2007	341,000	—	239,763	—	341,000	47,334(6)	23,080(7)	992,177


William E. Schneider President and CEO of Knife River Corporation	2009 2008	447,400 447,400	— —	400,093 460,374	— —	[•] —	726,646 180,801	9,324(3) 8,976	[•] 1,097,551
	2007	422,000	—	356,052	—	206,780	450,347	7,026	1,442,205

Steven L. Bietz President and CEO of WBI Holdings, Inc.	2009 2008 2007	350,000 — —	— — —	312,987 — —	— — —	[•] — —	475,985 — —	8,084(3) — —	[•] — —

(1)

Amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the performance share awards calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 – Share-Based Payment. Amounts for 2008 and ~~Year Salary Bonus Stock Option Non-Equity Change~~2007 have been recalculated to comply with the new requirements. This column was prepared assuming none of the awards will be forfeited. The amounts were calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation, as described in ~~All Other Total Principal ----- ($) ($) Awards Awards Incentive Plan Pension Compensation ($) Position ($) ($) Compensation Value~~Note 13 of our audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(2)

Amounts shown represent the change in the actuarial present value for years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, and ($) ($) Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)(1) (f)(1) (g) (h)(2) (i) (j) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~Terry D. 2006 562,500 - 376,394 25,084 [ ] [ ] 6,876 [ ] Hildestad President~~2009 for the named executive officers’ accumulated benefits under the pension plan, excess SISP, and CEO(3) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin A. 2006 468,750 - 218,206(5) - [ ] [ ] 25,110(6) [ ] White Former ChairmanSISP and, CEO(4) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vernon A. 2006 318,750 - 161,690 - [ ] [ ] 6,876 [ ] Raile Executive Vice President, Treasurerfor Mr. Harp, the additional retirement benefit, collectively referred to as the “accumulated pension change,” plus above market earnings on deferred annual incentives, if any. The amounts shown are based on accumulated pension change and CFO - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warren L. 2006 53,125 - 93,142(8) - [ ] [ ] 1,001,685(9) [ ] Robinson Former Executive Vice Presidentabove market earnings as of December 31, 2007, 2008, and CFO(7) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William E. 2006 392,000 - 248,217 20,729 [ ] [ ] 6,876 [ ] Schneider President and CEO of Knife River Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John K. 2006 311,667 - 323,641 - [ ] [ ] 6,876 [ ] Castleberry Executive Vice President - Administration(10) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John G. Harp 2006 310,000 - 150,566 - [ ](11) [ ](12) 31,323(13) [ ] President and CEO of MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009, as follows:

(1) Please refer to Note 13 to our audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Assumptions used in the valuation of the stock awards and option awards in this table are the same as used in the valuation of compensation expense for our audited financial statements, except for the effect of estimated forfeitures. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised), "Share-Based Payment (revised 2004)" requires us to estimate forfeitures when awards are granted and reduce estimated compensation expense accordingly. This table was prepared assuming that none of the awards will be forfeited. However, for both this table and our audited financial statements, compensation expense is adjusted for actual forfeitures. (2) Amounts shown represent the change in the actuarial present value of the named executive officers' accumulated benefit under the pension plan and the Supplemental Income Security Plan (SISP), collectively referred to as "accumulated pension change," plus above market earnings on deferred annual incentives. The specific amounts are: 43 --------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated Above Market Pension Change Earnings --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Hildestad [ ] 15,919 --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. White [ ] - --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Raile [ ] 27,061 --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Robinson [ ] 13,360 --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Schneider [ ] 16,096 --------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Castleberry [ ] - ---------------------------------------------------------

	Accumulated Pension Change						Above Market Earnings
Name	12/31/2007 ($)		12/31/2008 ($)		12/31/2009 ($)		12/31/2007 ($)	12/31/2008 ($)		12/31/2009 ($)
Terry D. Hildestad		1,336,815		883,351		806,554	25,598		15,590		18,765
Vernon A. Raile		508,987		469,755		661,243	46,261		28,455		33,934
John G. Harp		38,498		331,558		743,334	—		—		—
Additional Retirement (John G. Harp)*		8,836		7,216		18,336	—		—		—
William E. Schneider		411,123		155,816		696,572	39,224		24,985		30,074
Steven L. Bietz		—		—		475,985	—		—		—

*See footnote 12 regarding Mr. Harp. (3) Elected president and chief executive officer effective August 17, 2006. (4) Retired effective August 17, 2006. (5) Mr. White forfeited 14,850 shares of restricted stock and 23,762 performance shares upon his retirement. (6) Includes a company contribution to Mr. White's 401(k) account, a tax gross-up for airplane travel cost of $1,978, his spouse's personal travel on commercial aircraft, payment of a life insurance premium, an additional payment for Mr. White's long-term disability insurance and the aggregate incremental cost of Mr. White's personal travel on our aircraft. (7) Resigned as Executive Vice President and CFO effective January 3, 2006 and as an employee effective February 17, 2006. (8) Mr. Robinson forfeited 3,712 shares of restricted stock and 11,686 performance shares upon his retirement. (9) Includes a $1,000,000 severance payment in connection with his retirement and a company contribution to Mr. Robinson's 401(k) account. (10) Mr. Castleberry was president and chief executive officer of WBI Holdings, Inc. until March 3, 2006, when he became executive vice president - administration of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (11) Includes one-time incentive payment of $500,000 in addition to his executive incentive compensation plan payment. (12) Comprised of: Change in pension - [ ] Above market interest - - Present value of additional - [ ] years of service for pension plan Present value of additional years of service for SISP - [ ] In addition to accumulated pension under the pension plan and SISP and incentive deferral earnings on deferred annual incentives, this amount is the present value of the equivalent of additional years of service credit for purposes of Mr. Harp's pension and SISP. In November 2006, the compensation committee approved Mr. Harp receiving the equivalent of an additional three years of service credit for purposes of his pension and SISP if he remains an employee of the company through January 2, 2008 and has a succession plan in place by such time. The December 31, 2006 present value of the equivalent of the additional three years of vesting for pension purposes was calculated by assuming [ ]. The December 31, 2006 present value the equivalent of of the additional three years of vesting for SISP purposes was calculated by assuming [ ]. (13) Includes a company contribution to Mr. Harp's 401(k) account, payment of a life insurance premium, an additional premium for Mr. Harp's long-term disability insurance and Mr. Harp's office and automobile allowance. 44 6.

(3)	Includes company contributions to the 401(k) account, payment of a life insurance premium, and matching contributions to charitable organizations.

(4)	Includes one-time incentive payment of $[•] in addition to his annual incentive compensation.

(5)	Includes one-time incentive payment of $200,000 in addition to his executive incentive compensation plan payment.

(6)	In addition to the change in the actuarial present value of Mr. Harp’s accumulated benefit under the pension plan, excess SISP, and SISP, this amount also includes the following amounts attributable to Mr. Harp’s additional retirement benefit:

	2007		2008		2009
Change in present value of additional years of service for pension plan	$	6,033	$	3,570	$	13,077
Change in present value of additional years of service for excess SISP		2,803		3,646		5,259
Change in present value of additional years of service for SISP		—		—		—

Mr. Harp’s additional retirement benefit is described in the narrative that follows the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The additional retirement benefit provides Mr. Harp with additional retirement benefits equal to the additional benefit he would earn under the pension plan, excess SISP, and the SISP if he had three additional years of service. The amounts in the table above reflect the change in present value of this additional benefit in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The additional retirement benefit was determined by calculating the actuarial present values of the accumulated benefits under the pension plan, excess SISP, and SISP, with and without the three additional years of service, using the same assumptions used to determine the amounts disclosed in the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. Because Mr. Harp would be fully vested in his SISP benefit if he retired at age 65, the assumed retirement age of these calculations, the additional years of service provided by the additional retirement agreement would not increase that benefit. If Mr. Harp retires before becoming 100% vested in his SISP benefit, his SISP benefit would be less than the amount shown in the Pension Benefits for 2009 table, but the payments he would receive under the additional retirement benefit arrangement would increase, as would the amounts reflected in the table above and in the Summary Compensation Table.

(7)	Includes a company contribution to Mr. Harp’s 401(k) account, a matching contribution to a charity, payment of a life insurance premium, an additional premium for Mr. Harp’s long-term disability insurance, and Mr. Harp’s office and automobile allowance.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Grant Estimated Future Payouts Under Estimated Future Payouts Under All All Other Exercise Grant Date Non-Equity2009
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in ~~2006~~

		Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards			Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards			All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (i)	All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) (j)	Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) (k)	Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (l)
Name (a)	Grant Date (b)	Threshold ($) (c)	Target ($) (d)	Maximum ($) (e)	Threshold (#) (f)	Target (#) (g)	Maximum (#) (h)			Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) (k)	Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (l)
Terry D. Hildestad	2/12/09(1)	187,500	750,000	1,500,000	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2/12/09(2)	—	—	—	5,482	54,824	109,648	—	—	—	1,117,861
Vernon A. Raile	2/12/09(1)	73,125	292,500	585,000	—	—	—	—	—	—
Vernon A. Raile	2/12/09(2)	—	—	—	1,973	19,736	39,472	—	—	—	402,417
John G. Harp	2/12/09(1)	73,125	292,500	585,000	—	—	—	—	—	—
John G. Harp	2/12/09(2)	—	—	—	1,973	19,736	39,472	—	—	—	402,417
	2/12/09(3)	100,000	200,000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
William E. Schneider	2/12/09(1)	72,703	290,810	581,620	—	—	—	—	—	—
William E. Schneider	2/12/09(2)	—	—	—	1,962	19,622	39,244	—	—	—	400,093
Steven L. Bietz	2/12/09(4)	56,875	227,500	455,000	—	—	—	—	—	—
Steven L. Bietz	2/12/09(2)	—	—	—	1,535	15,350	30,700	—	—	—	312,987

(1)	Annual incentive for 2009 granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive ~~Plan Awards Equity~~Plan.

(2)

Performance shares for the 2009-2011 performance period granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan Awards Other Option or Base Date ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ Stock Awards: Price of Fair Thresh- Target Maxi- Thresh- Target Maxi- Awards: Number Option Value of old ($) mum old (#) mum Number of Awards Stock ($) ($) (#) (#) of Securities ($/Sh) and Shares Under- Option of Stock lying Awards or Units Options (#) (#) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Terry D. 2/16/06(1) 82,031 328,125 656,250 - - - - - - - Hildestad ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 2/16/06(2) - - - 2,388 23,883 47,766 - - - 602,330 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 8/16/06(1) 58,594 234,375 468,750 - - - - - - - - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Martin A. 2/16/06(3) 187,500 750,000 1,500,000 - - - - - - - White - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Vernon A. 2/16/06(4) 39,844 159,375 318,750 - - - - - - - Raile ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 2/16/06(2) - - - 1,243 12,429 24,858 - - - 313,460 - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Warren L. - - - - - - - - - - - Robinson - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- William E. 2/16/06(5) 49,000 196,000 392,000 - - - - - - - Schneider ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 2/16/06(2) - - - 1,529 15,285 30,570 - - - 385,488 - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- John K. 2/16/06(6) 7,708 30,833 61,667 - - - - - - - Castleberry ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 3/04/06(7) 31,250 125,000 250,000 - - - - - - - ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 2/16/06(2) - - - 975 9,748 19,496 - - - 245,845 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- John G. Harp 2/16/06(8) 38,750 155,000 310,000 - - - - - - - ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- 2/16/06(2) - - - 1,007 10,072 20,144 - - - 254,016 - ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Plan.

(1) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan. Mr. Hildestad's grants are prorated to reflect his 7.5 months as COO and his 4.5 months as CEO. (2) Performance shares for the 2006-2008 performance period granted pursuant to the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan. 45 (3) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan. (4) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. (5) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the Knife River Corporation Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. (6) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the WBI Holdings, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. Mr. Castleberry's awards are prorated to reflect his two months as CEO of WBI Holdings and his ten months as Executive Vice President - Administration of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (7) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. Mr. Castleberry's awards are prorated to reflect his two months as CEO of WBI Holdings and his ten months as Executive Vice President - Administration of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (8) Annual incentive for 2006 granted pursuant to the MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. 46

(3)	Mr. Harp’s additional 2009 incentive opportunity.

(4)	Annual incentive for 2009 granted pursuant to the WBI Holdings Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.

Narrative Discussion Relating to the Summary Compensation Table

and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Incentive Awards

Annual Incentive ~~----------------~~

On February ~~14, 2006,~~11, 2009, the compensation committee recommended ~~2006~~the 2009 annual incentive award opportunities for our named executive officers, and the board approved these opportunities at its meeting on February ~~16, 2006.~~12, 2009. These award opportunities are reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table at grant on February ~~16, 2006~~12, 2009 in columns (c), (d), and (e) and in the Summary Compensation Table as earned with respect to ~~2006~~2009 in column (g).

Executive officers may receive annual cash incentive awards based upon achievement of annual performance measures with a threshold, target, and maximum level. A target incentive award is established based ~~upon~~on a percent of the ~~executive's~~executive’s base salary. Actual payment may range from zero to 200% of the target based upon achievement of corporate goals. ~~Participants who retire, die or become disabled during the year remain~~

In order to be eligible to receive an ~~award. Subject to~~annual incentive award under the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan, Messrs. Hildestad, Raile, Schneider, and Harp must have remained employed by the company through December 31, 2009, unless the compensation ~~committee's discretion, executives who terminate employment for other reasons are not eligible for an award.~~committee determines otherwise. The committee has full discretion to determine the extent to which goals have been achieved, the payment level, whether any final payment will be made, and whether to adjust awards ~~downward.~~ downward based upon individual performance. Unless the committee determines otherwise, performance measure targets shall be adjusted to take into account unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the company, a subsidiary or a division or

business unit, or any of their financial statements, or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles to the extent such unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles otherwise would result in dilution or enlargement of the annual incentive award intended to be provided. Such adjustments are made in a manner that will not cause the award to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

With respect to annual incentive awards granted pursuant to the WBI Holdings, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, which includes Mr. Bietz, participants who retire at age 65 during the year remain eligible to receive an award. Subject to the compensation committee’s discretion, executives who terminate employment for other reasons are not eligible for an award.

The committee has full discretion to determine the extent to which goals have been achieved, the payment level, and whether any final payment will be made. Once performance goals are approved by the committee for executive incentive compensation plan awards, the committee generally does not modify the goals. However, if major unforeseen changes in economic and environmental conditions or other significant factors beyond the control of management substantially affected management’s ability to achieve the specified performance goals, the committee, in consultation with the chief executive officer, may modify the performance goals. Such goal modifications will only be considered in years of unusually adverse or favorable external conditions.

For Messrs. ~~White,~~ Hildestad ~~Robinson~~ and Raile, ~~and for Mr. Castleberry, as executive vice president - administration,~~ the performance measures for annual incentive awards are our annual return on invested capital achieved compared to target and our annual earnings per share achieved compared to target. For Messrs. Schneider, ~~and~~ Harp, and ~~for Mr. Castleberry, as president and chief executive officer of WBI Holdings, Inc.,~~Bietz, the performance measures for annual incentive awards are their respective business ~~unit's~~unit’s annual return on invested capital achieved compared to target and their respective business ~~unit's~~unit’s allocated earnings per share achieved compared to target. ~~During~~In 2009, Mr. ~~Castleberry's tenure as president and chief executive officer of~~Bietz had five individual goals relating to WBI Holdings Inc.~~, the~~’s safety ~~record of~~results, and each goal that ~~business unit also~~ was ~~a performance measure for Mr. Castleberry.~~ not met reduced his annual incentive award by 1%.

For ~~2006,~~2009, the compensation committee weighted the goals for annual return on invested capital compared to planned results and allocated earnings per share compared to planned results each at 50%.

We limit the ~~aggregate amount of~~after-tax annual incentive compensation we will pay above the target amount to ~~all our executive officers to 20 percent~~20% of ~~after tax~~ earnings in excess of planned earnings. ~~The 20 percent~~We calculate the earnings in excess of planned earnings without regard to the after-tax annual incentive amounts above target. We measure the 20% limitation ~~is measured~~ at the major business unit level for business unit and operating company executives, which include Messrs. Harp, Schneider, and Bietz, and at the corporate level for corporate ~~executives. 47~~ executives, which include Messrs. Hildestad and Raile. In 2009, the 20% limitation was calculated without regard to the noncash ceiling test impairment charge as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

The award opportunities available to each named executive officer were: 2006 earnings per share Corresponding payment of earnings results as a % of 2006 plan per share annual incentive target --------------------------- --------------------------------- less than 85% 0% 85% 25% 90% 50% 95% 75% 100% 100% 103% 120% 106% 140% 109% 160% 112% 180% 115% or more 200% 2006 return on invested capital Corresponding payment of return on results as a % of 2006 plan invested capital annual incentive target --------------------------- ---------------------------------------- less than 85% 0% 85% 25% 90% 50% 95% 75% 100% 100% 103% 120% 106% 140% 109% 160% 112% 180% 115% or more 200%

2009 earnings per share results as a % of 2009 target	Corresponding payment of annual incentive target based on earnings per share
Less than 85%		0%
85%		25%
90%		50%
95%		75%
100%		100%
103%		120%
106%		140%
109%		160%
112%		180%
115%		200%

2009 return on invested capital results as a % of 2009 target	Corresponding payment of annual incentive target based on return on invested capital
Less than 85%		0%
85%		25%
90%		50%
95%		75%
100%		100%
103%		120%
106%		140%
109%		160%
112%		180%
115%		200%

For discussion of the specific incentive plan performance targets and results, please see the ~~compensation discussion~~Compensation Discussion and ~~analysis. Mr. Harp --------~~ Analysis.

In addition to ~~the~~his 2009 annual incentive award opportunity under our Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan, Mr. Harp ~~earned under our executive incentive compensation plan, he also earned~~had an opportunity to earn an additional ~~$500,000 one-time bonus payment. When Mr. Harp~~incentive, which was ~~hired in September 2004~~structured as follows:

Construction Services Group, Inc.’s 2009 Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as compared to Construction Services Group, Inc.’s 2009 Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)	Additional Incentive Amount
2009 ROIC is less than 100 basis points above 2009 WACC	$0
2009 ROIC is 100 to 199 basis points above 2009 WACC	$100,000
2009 ROIC is 200 basis points or more above 2009 WACC	$200,000

For a specific discussion of this additional incentive opportunity and the compensation committee’s determination with respect to effectuate a turn-around of MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., he was offered incentive opportunities of (i) $250,000 if MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. reported annual net income of $12.5 million in 2007 or soonerpayment, please refer to the Compensation Discussion and in addition (ii) $500,000 if MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. reported annual net income of $18.6 million or more in fiscal year 2008 or sooner. The first goal was met in 2005, and in fiscal year 2006 MDU Construction Services Group, Inc. met the second goal. Analysis.

Long-Term Incentive ~~-------------------~~

On February ~~14, 2006,~~11, 2009, the compensation committee recommended long-term incentive grants to the named executive officers in the form of performance shares, and the board approved 48 these grants at its meeting on February ~~16, 2006.~~12, 2009. These grants are reflected in columns (f), (g), (h), and (l) of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards ~~table.~~ table and in column (e) of the Summary Compensation Table.

From 0% to 200% of the target grant will be paid out in February ~~2009~~2012, depending on our ~~2006-2008~~2009-2011 total stockholder return compared to the total three-year stockholder returns of companies in our performance graph peer group. The payout percentage is determined as follows: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's Percentile Rank Payout Percentage of Feb. 16, 2006 Grant - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100th 200% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75th 150% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50th 100% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40th 10% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less than 40th 0% - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company’s Percentile Rank		Payout Percentage of February 12, 2009 Grant
	100th		200%
	75th		150%
	50th		100%
	40th		10%
	Less than 40th		0%

Payouts for percentile ranks falling between the intervals will be interpolated. We also will pay dividend equivalents in cash on the number of shares actually earned for the performance period. The dividend equivalents will be paid in ~~2009~~2012 at the same time as the performance awards are paid. Mr. Robinson Warren L. Robinson was our executive vice president and chief financial officer until January 3, 2006 and an employee until he retired February 17, 2006. Because of his retirement, Mr. Robinson received no base salary increase or incentive compensation for 2006. We entered into an agreement with Warren L. Robinson on November 23, 2005 in connection with his retirement as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Mr. Robinson received a severance payment of $1,000,000.

Salary and Bonus in Proportion to Total Compensation

The following table shows the proportion of salary to total compensation. We paid no bonuses to our named executive officers in 2006. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Salary Total Compensation Salary as % of ($) ($) Total Compensation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry D. Hildestad 562,500 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin A. White 468,750 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vernon A. Raile 318,750 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warren L. Robinson 53,125 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William E. Schneider 392,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John K. Castleberry 311,667 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John G. Harp 310,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49 ~~Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2006~~ 2009.

- --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- Option Awards Stock Awards - --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------
Name Number Number of Equity of Securities Incentive Option Option Number of Market Equity Equity Securities Underlying Plan Exercise Expiration Shares Value Incentive Incentive Underlying Unexercised Awards: Price Date or Units of Plan Plan Awards: Unexercised Options Number of	Salary ($)		Total Compensation ($)		Salary as % of Stock Shares Awards: Market or Options (#) Securities That or Units Number of Payout Value (#) Unexercisable Underlying Have of Stock Unearned of Unearned Exercisable Unexercised Not That Shares, Shares, Units Unearned Vested Have Units or Other Options (#) Not or Other Rights That (#) Vested Rights Have Not ($) That Have Vested Not Vested ($) (#) (a) (b) (c)1, (2) (d) (e) (1) (f) (g)(1)(3) (h) (i)(4) (j)(5) - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- -------------- ~~Total Compensation~~
Terry D. ~~- 68,995 - 13.2178 2/15/2011 3,712 95,176 62,650 1,606,346~~ Hildestad - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- -------------- Martin A. - - - - - - - 104,702 2,684,559 White - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- --------------		750,000		[•]		[•]
Vernon A. ~~- - - - - 1,114 28,563 25,155 644,974~~ Raile - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- -------------- Warren L. - - - - - - - 27,081 694,357 Robinson - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- -------------- William E. - 57,015 - 13.2178 2/15/2011 2,970 76,151 41,353 1,060,291 Schneider - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- -------------- John K. - - - - - 2,970 76,151 48,515 1,243,925 Castleberry - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- --------------		450,000		[•]		[•]
John G. Harp - - - - - - - 20,839 534,312 - --------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- ---------- --------------		450,000		[•]		[•]
William E. Schneider		447,400		[•]		[•]
Steven L. Bietz		350,000		[•]		[•]

~~(1)~~

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2009

	Option Awards										Stock Awards
Name (a)	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) (b)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) (c)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) (d)		Option Exercise Price ($) (e)		Option Expiration Date (f)		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) (g)(1,2)		Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (h)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (i)(3)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (j)(4)
Terry D. Hildestad		—		—		—		—		—		3,712		87,603		181,830		4,291,188
Vernon A. Raile		—		—		—		—		—		1,114		26,290		65,438		1,544,337
John G. Harp		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		63,055		1,488,098
William E. Schneider		—		—		—		—		—		2,970		70,092		69,354		1,636,754
Steven L. Bietz		—		—		—		—		—		558		13,169		51,545		1,216,462

(1)	Adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006.
(2)	These shares of restricted stock were granted in 2001 and vest automatically on February 15, 2010. Vesting of some or all shares may be accelerated upon change of control or if the total stockholder return equals or exceeds the 50th percentile of the performance graph peer group during the final three-year performance cycle 2007-2009. Non-preferential dividends are paid on these shares.

(3)

Named Executive Officer	Award		Shares		End of Performance Period
Terry D. Hildestad		2007		33,091		12/31/09
		2008		39,091		12/31/10
		2009		109,648		12/31/11
Vernon A. Raile		2007		12,564		12/31/09
		2008		13,402		12/31/10
		2009		39,472		12/31/11
John G. Harp		2007		10,181		12/31/09
		2008		13,402		12/31/10
		2009		39,472		12/31/11
William E. Schneider		2007		15,119		12/31/09
		2008		14,991		12/31/10
		2009		39,244		12/31/11
Steven L. Bietz		2007		10,354		12/31/09
		2008		10,491		12/31/10
		2009		30,700		12/31/11

Shares for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (2) These options were granted in 2001 and vest on February 15, 2010. Vesting of some or all options may be accelerated upon change of control or upon attainment of performance goals during three-year performance cycles: 2001-2003, 2004-2006 and 2007-2009. Dividend equivalents were granted with the options and may be earned from 0% to 200% at the end of the performance cycles to the extent options vest. (3) These shares of restricted stock were granted in 2001 and vest on February 15, 2010. Vesting of some or all shares may be accelerated upon change of control or if the total stockholder return equals or exceeds the 50th percentile of the performance graph peer group during three-year performance cycles: 2001-2003, 2004-2006 and 2007-2009. Non-preferential dividends2007 award are ~~paid on these shares. (4) Consists of performance shares for the 2004-2006, 2005-2007 and 2006-2008 performance periods,~~ shown at the target level (100%) based on ~~2006~~results for the 2007-2009 performance ~~above~~cycle at target.

Shares for the ~~threshold~~2008 award are shown at the target level ~~but below target. (5) Value~~(100%) based on ~~the number of performance shares at target multiplied by $25.64, the year-end closing price. 50~~ ~~Option Exercises and Stock Vested during 2006~~

~~(1) Adjusted~~results for the ~~3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (2) Reflects~~first two years of the 2008-2010 performance ~~shares~~cycle at target.

Shares for the ~~2003-2005 performance period that vested on February 16, 2006. (3) Reflects~~2009 award are shown at the ~~value of performance shares~~maximum level (200%) based on ~~our stock price~~results for the first year of ~~$23.10 (split adjusted)~~the 2009-2011 performance cycle above target.

(4)	Value based on the number of performance shares reflected in column (i) multiplied by $23.60, the year-end closing price for 2009.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested during 2009

	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name (a)	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) (b)		Value Realized on Exercise ($) (c)		Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (d)(1,2)		Value Realized on Vesting ($) (e)(3)
Terry D. Hildestad		—		—		19,584		397,426
Vernon A. Raile		—		—		10,192		206,830
John G. Harp		—		—		8,259		167,603
William E. Schneider		—		—		12,534		254,358
Steven L. Bietz		—		—		5,755		116,789

(1)	Adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006.

(2)	Reflects performance shares for the 2006-2008 performance period that vested on February 12, 2009.

(3)	Reflects the value of performance shares based on our stock price of $18.61 on February 12, 2009, and the dividend equivalents that were paid on the vested shares.

Pension Benefits for 2009

Name (a)	Plan Name (b)	Number of Years Credited Service (#) (c)	Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) (d)	Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) (e)
Terry D. Hildestad	Pension Plan	35	1,369,893	—
	SISP I(1)	27	1,487,740	—
	SISP II(2)	27	2,456,479	—
	SISP Excess	27	842,854	—
Vernon A. Raile	Pension Plan	30	1,033,470	—
	SISP I(1)	27	891,572	—
	SISP II(2)	27	1,899,169	—
	SISP Excess	27	—	—
John G. Harp	Pension Plan	5	172,100	—
	SISP I(1)	4	—	—
	SISP II(2)	4	1,784,336	—
	SISP Excess	4	33,837	—
	Harp Additional Retirement Benefit	4	120,136	—
William E. Schneider	Pension Plan	16	667,138	—
	SISP I(1)	15	1,081,798	—
	SISP II(2)	15	1,278,020	—
	SISP Excess	15	128,798	—
Steven L. Bietz	Pension Plan	28	675,382	—
	SISP I(1)	15	458,686	—
	SISP II(2)	15	440,819	—
	SISP Excess	15	72,082	—

(1)	Grandfathered under Section 409A.

(2)	Not grandfathered under Section 409A.

The amounts shown for the pension plan and excess SISP represent the actuarial present values of the executives’ accumulated benefits accrued as of December 31, 2009, calculated using a 5.75% discount rate, the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table for post-retirement mortality and no recognition of future salary increases or pre-retirement mortality. The assumed retirement ages for these benefits was age 60 for Messrs. Harp and Bietz and age 62 for Mr. Schneider. These are the earliest ages at which the executives could begin receiving unreduced benefits. Retirement on ~~February 16, 2006~~December 31, 2009, was assumed for Messrs. Hildestad and Raile, who were age 60 and 64 on that date. The amounts shown for the ~~dividend equivalents that~~SISP I and SISP II were ~~paid on the vested shares. 51~~ ~~Pension Benefits for 2006~~

~~(1) Grandfathered under Section 409A. (2) Not grandfathered under Section 409A. [Valuation method~~determined using a 5.75% discount rate and ~~all material~~assume benefits commenced at age 65. The assumptions used ~~in quantifying present value~~ to ~~be provided.]~~ calculate Mr. Harp’s additional retirement benefit are described below.

Pension ~~Plan - ------------~~ Plans

Messrs. Hildestad, ~~White,~~ Raile, ~~Robinson, Castleberry~~ and Harp participate in the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Pension Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees, which we refer to as our pension plan. Mr. Schneider participates in the Knife River Corporation Salaried ~~Employees'~~Employees’ Pension Plan, which we refer to as the KR pension plan. Mr. Bietz participates in the Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company Pension Plan, which we refer to as the WBI pension plan. Pension benefits under our pension plan and the WBI pension plan are based ~~upon~~on the ~~participant's~~participant’s average annual salary over the 60 consecutive month period in which the participant received the highest annual salary during the ~~participant's~~participant’s final 10 years of service. For this purpose, only a ~~participant's~~participant’s salary is considered; ~~bonuses~~incentives and other forms of compensation are not included. Benefits are determined by multiplying (1) the ~~participant's~~participant’s years of credited service by (2) the sum of (a) the average annual salary up to the social security integration level times 1.1% and (b) the average annual salary over the social security integration level times 1.45%. The KR pension plan uses the same formula except that 1.2% and 1.6% are used instead of 1.1% and 1.45%. The maximum

years of service recognized when determining benefits under each of the pension plans is 35. Pension plan benefits are not reduced for social security benefits. ~~Participants~~

Each of the pension plans was amended to cease benefit accruals after December 31, 2009, meaning the normal retirement benefit will not change.

To receive unreduced retirement benefits under our pension plan and the WBI pension plan, participants must either remain employed until age 60 or elect to defer ~~election~~commencement of benefits until age 60. Under the ~~benefit~~KR pension plan, participants must remain employed until age 62 or elect to defer commencement of benefits until age 62 to receive unreduced ~~retirement benefits under our plan~~benefits. Messrs. Hildestad and ~~until age 62 under the KR pension plan. Mr.~~ Raile ~~is currently~~were eligible for unreduced retirement benefits under our pension ~~plan. Mr. White, who retired in August 2006, is receiving unreduced retirement benefits.~~plan on December 31, 2009. Participants whose employment terminates between the ages of 55 and 60, with 5 years of service, in our pension plan or the WBI pension plan and between the ages of 55 and 62, with 5 years of service, in the KR pension plan are eligible for early retirement benefits. Early retirement benefits are determined by reducing the normal retirement benefit by ~~.25%~~0.25% per month for each month before age 60 in our pension plan and the WBI pension plan and age 62 in the KR pension plan. If a ~~participant's~~participant’s employment terminates before age 55, the same reduction applies for each month the termination occurs before age 62, with the reduction capped at 21%. Messrs. ~~Hildestad,~~Harp and Schneider ~~and Robinson~~ are currently eligible for early retirement benefits.

Benefits for single participants under the pension plans are paid as straight life amounts and benefits for married participants are paid as actuarially reduced pensions with a ~~survivorship 53~~ survivor benefit for spouses, unless participants choose otherwise. Participants who terminate employment before age 55 may elect to receive their benefits in a lump sum. Mr. Bietz is currently eligible for a lump sum.

The Internal Revenue Code places limitations on benefit amounts that may be paid under the pension plans and on the amount of compensation that may be recognized when determining benefits. In ~~2006,~~2009, the maximum annual benefit payable under the pension plans was ~~$175,000~~$195,000 and the maximum amount of compensation that could be recognized when determining benefits was ~~$220,000.~~ $245,000.

Supplemental Income Security Plan ~~---------------------------------~~

We also offer key managers and executives, including all of our named executive officers, benefits under our ~~nonqualified~~non-qualified retirement plan, which we refer to as the Supplemental Income Security Plan or SISP. Benefits under the SISP consist ~~of o a supplemental retirement benefit intended to supplement~~of:

	•	a supplemental retirement benefit intended to augment the retirement income provided under our qualified pension plans - we refer to this benefit as the regular SISP benefit o an excess retirement benefit relating to Internal Revenue Code limitations on retirement benefits provided under our qualified pension plans - we refer to this benefit as the excess SISP benefit and o death benefits - we refer to this benefit as the regular SISP benefit
	•	an excess retirement benefit relating to Internal Revenue Code limitations on retirement benefits provided under our qualified pension plans - we refer to this benefit as the excess SISP benefit and
	•	death benefits - we refer to these benefits as the SISP death benefit.

Effective January 1, 2010, we amended the SISP ~~death benefit.~~ to:

	•	reduce by 20% the regular SISP and death benefit levels in the benefit schedule used to determine regular SISP and death benefits for new participants and participants whose benefit levels increase on or after January 1, 2010
	•	impose an additional vesting period applicable to any increased regular SISP benefit and SISP death benefit occurring on or after January 1, 2010
	•	eliminate the excess SISP benefit for new participants and current participants who were not already eligible for the excess SISP benefit and
	•	freeze excess SISP benefit accruals.

SISP benefits are forfeited if the participant’s employment is terminated for cause.

Regular SISP Benefits and Death Benefits

Regular SISP benefits and death benefits are determined by reference to aone of two schedules attached to the SISP - the original schedule or the amended schedule. Our compensation committee, after receiving recommendations from our chief executive officer, determines the level at which participants are placed in the ~~schedule.~~schedules. A ~~participant's~~participant’s placement is generally, but not always, determined by reference to the ~~participant's~~participant’s annual base salary. Benefit levels in the amended schedule which became effective on January 1, 2010, are 20% lower than the benefit levels in the original schedule. The amended schedule applies to new participants and participants who receive a benefit level increase on or after January 1, 2010.

Participants can elect to receive (1) the regular SISP benefit only, (2) the SISP death benefit only, or (3) a combination of both. Regardless of the ~~participant's~~participant’s election, if the participant dies before the regular SISP benefit would commence, only the SISP death benefit is provided. If the participant elects to receive both a regular SISP benefit and a SISP death benefit, each of the benefits is reduced proportionately.

The regular SISP benefits reflected in the table above are based on the assumption that the participant elects to receive only the regular SISP benefit. The present values of the SISP death benefits that would be provided if the named executive officers were to die prior to the commencement of regular SISP benefits are reflected in the table that appears in the section entitled ~~"Potential~~“Potential Payments ~~Upon~~upon Termination or Change of Control.~~" We~~”

The SISP was amended ~~the SISP in 2005~~ to address changes in applicable tax laws resulting from the enactment of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. ~~As amended, regular~~Regular SISP benefits that were vested as of December 31, 2004 and were thereby grandfathered under section 409A remain subject to SISP provisions then in ~~effect. We~~effect, which we refer to ~~these benefits~~ as SISP I benefits. Regular SISP benefits that are subject to section 409A, which we refer to as SISP II benefits, are 54 governed by amended provisions intended to comply with section 409A. Participants generally have more discretion with respect to the distributions of their SISP I benefits.

The time and manner in which the regular SISP benefits are paid depend on a variety of factors, including the time and form of benefit elected by the participant and whether the benefits are SISP I ~~benefits~~ or SISP II benefits. Unless the participant elects otherwise, the SISP I benefits are paid over 180 months, with benefits commencing when the participant attains age 65 or, if later, when the participant retires. ~~Distribution of~~The SISP II benefits ~~generally~~commence when the participant attains age 65 or, if later, when the participant retires, subject to a six-month delay if the participant is ~~deferred for six months and~~subject to the provisions of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code that require delayed commencement of these types of retirement benefits. The SISP II benefits are paid over 180 months or, if commencement of payments is delayed for six months, 173 months. If the commencement of benefits is delayed for six months, the first payment includes the payments that would have been paid during the six-month period. If the participant dies after the regular SISP benefits have begun but before receipt of all of the regular SISP benefits, the remaining payments are made to the ~~participant's~~participant’s designated beneficiary. ~~The regular SISP benefits reflected in the table above are based on the assumption that the participants' SISP I and SISP II benefits commenced at age 65.~~

Rather than receiving their regular SISP I benefits in equal monthly installments over 15 years commencing at age 65, participants can elect a different form and time of commencement of their SISP I benefits. Participants can elect to defer commencement of the regular SISP ~~benefits - if~~I benefits. If this is elected, the participant retains the right to receive a monthly SISP death benefit if death occurs prior to the commencement of the regular SISP I benefit. Alternatively, participants can elect to receive both a regular SISP benefit and a SISP death benefit. A similar, one-time election may be made with respect to SISP II benefits, provided the election is made sufficiently in advance of the date SISP retirement benefits start.

Participants also can elect to receive their SISP I benefits in one of three actuarially equivalent forms - a life annuity, ~~one hundred percent~~100% joint and survivor annuity, or a joint and two-thirds joint and survivor annuity, provided that the cost of providing these actuarial equivalent forms of benefits does not exceed the cost of providing the normal form of benefit. ~~Additionally, the SISP's administrator may choose to pay the SISP I benefits in the form of an actuarial equivalent lump sum.~~ Neither the election to receive an actuarial equivalent benefit nor the ~~administrator's~~administrator’s right to pay the regular SISP benefit in the form of an actuarially equivalent lump sum are available with respect to SISP II benefits.

To promote retention, the regular SISP benefits are subject to the following ten-year vesting schedule: o

	•	0% vesting for less than 3 years of participation
	•	20% vesting for 3 years of participation
	•	40% vesting for 4 years of participation and
	•	an additional 10% vesting for each additional year of participation up to 100% vesting for 10 years of participation.

In 2009, the plan was amended to impose an additional vesting requirement on benefit level increases for the regular SISP benefit granted on or after January 1, 2010. The requirement applies only to the increased benefit level. The increased benefit vests after the later of three additional years of participation ~~o 20%~~in the SISP or the end of the regular vesting schedule described above. The additional three-year vesting requirement for 3benefit level increases is pro-rated for participants who are officers, attain age 65 and are required to retire, pursuant to the company’s bylaws, prior to the end of the additional vesting period as follows:

33% of the increase vests for participants required to retire at least one year but less than two years after the increase is granted and

66% of ~~participation o 40%~~the increase vests for participants required to retire at least two years but less than three years after the increase is granted.

The benefit level increases of participants who attain age 65 and are required to retire pursuant to the company’s bylaws will be further reduced to the extent the participants are not fully vested in their regular SISP benefit under the 10-year vesting ~~for 4 years of participation and o an~~schedule described above. The additional ~~10%~~ vesting ~~for each additional year of participation up to 100% vesting for 10 years of participation.~~ period associated with a benefit level increase may be waived by the compensation committee.

SISP death benefits become fully vested if the participant dies while actively employed. Otherwise, the SISP death benefits are subject to the same vesting ~~schedule~~schedules as the regular SISP benefits. 55

Excess SISP Benefits

Excess SISP benefits are equal to the difference between (1) the monthly retirement benefits that would have been payable to the participant under ~~our~~the qualified pension ~~plan~~plans absent the limitations under the Internal Revenue Code and (2) the actual benefits payable to the participant under the qualified pension plan. Participants are only eligible for the excess SISP benefits if (1) the participant is fully vested under ~~his~~the qualified pension plan, (2) the ~~participant's~~participant’s employment terminates prior to age 65, and (3) benefits under the qualified pension plan are reduced due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code on plan compensation. Effective January 1, 2005, participants who were not then vested in the excess SISP benefits were also required to remain actively employed by the company until age 60. In 2009, the plan was amended to limit eligibility of the excess SISP benefit to current SISP participants (1) who are already vested in the excess SISP benefit or (2) who will become vested in the excess SISP benefits if they remain employed with the company until age 60. The plan was further amended to freeze the excess SISP benefits to a maximum of the benefit level payable based on the participant’s years of service and compensation level as of December 31, 2009. With the exception of Mr. Harp, each of the named executive officers would be entitled to the excess SISP ~~benefits~~benefit if they were to terminate employment prior to age 65. Mr. Harp must remain employed until age 60 to become entitled to his excess SISP benefit.

Benefits generally commence six months after the ~~participant's~~participant’s employment terminates and continue up to age 65 or until the death of the participant, if prior to age 65. If a participant who dies prior to age 65 elected a joint and survivor benefit, the ~~survivor's~~survivor’s excess SISP ~~benefits are~~benefit is paid until the date the participant would have attained age 65. ~~The amounts reflected in the table above were determined by assuming benefits commenced at age 60 for Messrs. Hildestad, Castleberry and Harp and age 62 for~~

Mr. Schneider. These are the earliest ages at which the executives could begin receiving unreduced benefits. For Mr. Raile, who is age 61, the amount reflects an assumption of an immediate retirement. For Messrs. White and Robinson, the amounts reflect the fact that they are retired and in payment. Harp’s Additional Retirement Benefit

To encourage Mr. Harp to remain with the company, ~~through 2007,~~ on November 16, 2006, upon recommendation of our chief executive officer and the compensation committee, our board of directors approved an additional retirement benefit for Mr. Harp. The benefit provides for Mr. Harp to receive payments that represent the equivalent of an additional three years of service under ~~the~~our pension plan, the excess SISP, and the ~~SISP if he remains employed through January 2, 2008 and if he has a succession plan in place prior to his departure.~~SISP. The additional three years of service recognize Mr. ~~Harp's~~Harp’s previous employment with a subsidiary of the company. To calculate payments Mr. Harp could receive due to his additional retirement benefit, we applied the additional years of service to each of the retirement arrangements and assumed he remained employed until age 60, for purposes of calculating the additional benefit under the pension plan and excess SISP, and age 65, for purposes of calculating the additional benefit under the SISP II. Because Mr. Harp would be fully vested in the SISP II benefit if he retired at age 65, the additional years of service provided by the agreement would not increase his SISP II benefit. Consequently, the amount shown in the table does not include any additional benefit attributable to the SISP II. If Mr. Harp were to retire ~~or resign on January 2, 2008, and live to age 81, the equivalent of the additional three~~before achieving 10 years of service ~~under~~and becoming fully vested in his SISP II benefit, the ~~pension plan would yield total payments to Mr. Harp of $421,462 over his lifetime. The equivalent of the~~ additional ~~three~~ years of service provided by the additional retirement benefit would increase his vesting percentage under the SISP II and therefore would ~~yield total~~result in an additional payment. For a description of the payments that could be provided under the additional retirement benefit if Mr. Harp’s employment were to ~~Mr. Harp~~be terminated on December 31, 2009, refer to the table and related notes in “Potential Payment upon Termination or Change of ~~$874,440 beginning at age 65 and lasting for 15 years, assuming he does not die before age 65.~~ Control” below.

The SISP also provides that if a participant becomes totally disabled, the participant will continue to receive credit for up to two additional years under the SISP as long as the participant is totally disabled during such time. Since the named executive officers other than Mr. Harp are fully vested in their SISP benefits, this would not result in any incremental benefit for the named executive officers other than Mr. Harp. The present value of these two additional years of service for Mr. Harp is reflected in the table that appears in the section entitled ~~"Potential~~“Potential Payments ~~Upon~~upon Termination or Change of Control.~~" 56~~ ”

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2009

Name (a)	Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) (b)		Registrant Contributions in Last FY ($) (c)		Earnings in Aggregate Last FY ($) (d)		Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) (e)		Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) (f)
Terry D. Hildestad		—		—		52,314		—		835,932
Vernon A. Raile		—		—		94,556		—		1,510,791
John G. Harp		—		—		—		—		—
William E. Schneider		—		—		83,840		—		1,339,689(1)
Steven L. Bietz		—		—		—		—		—

(1)

Includes $392,000, which was reported in the Summary Compensation Table for 2006

(1) Amounts reported were reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for 2005 but not in the Summary Compensation Table for 2006. Amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for 2006 in column (g) that our named executive officers have elected to defer are credited in 2007 and will be reflected in this table for 2007.

Participants in the executive incentive compensation plans may elect to defer up to 100% of their annual incentive awards. Deferred amounts ~~will~~ accrue interest at a rate determined annually by the compensation committee. The ~~committee has established the interest rate at prime plus one percent as reported on the last Friday in January of each year. The~~ interest rate in effect for ~~2006, commencing~~2009 was 6.48% or the “Moody’s Rate,” which was defined by reference to the U.S. Long-Term Corporate Bond Yield Average for “A” rated companies. Effective January ~~27, 2006 was 8.25%.~~1, 2009, “Moody’s Rate” is the number that results from adding the daily Moody’s U.S. Long-Term Corporate Bond Yield Average for “A” rated companies as of the last business day of each month for the 12-month period ending October 31, 2008, and dividing by 12. The deferred amount will be paid in accordance with the ~~participant's~~participant’s election, following termination of employment or beginning in the fifth year following the year the award was granted. The amounts will be paid in accordance with the ~~participant's~~participant’s election in a lump sum or in monthly installments not to exceed 120 months. In the event of a change of control, all amounts become immediately payable. 57

A change of control is defined as

	•	an acquisition during a 12-month period of 30% or more of the total voting power of our stock
	•	an acquisition of our stock that, together with stock already held by the acquirer, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of our stock

	•	replacement of a majority of the members of our board of directors during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of our board of directors or
	•	acquisition of our assets having a gross fair market value at least equal to 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of our assets.

Potential Payments upon Termination or ~~Change of Control Terry D. Hildestad ------------------~~

* Executive is also entitled

The following tables show the payments and benefits our named executive officers would receive in connection with a variety of employment termination scenarios and upon a change of control. The information assumes the terminations and the change of control occurred on December 31, 2009. All of the payments and benefits described below would be provided by the company or its subsidiaries.

The tables exclude base salary, 2009 annual incentives, stock awards the named executive officers earned due to employment through December 31, 2009, and compensation and benefits provided under plans or arrangements that do not discriminate in favor of the named executive officers and that are generally available to all salaried employees, such as benefits ~~reflected on~~under our qualified defined benefit pension plan, accrued vacation pay, continuation of health care benefits, and life insurance benefits. The tables also do not include the named executive officers’ benefits under our nonqualified deferred compensation plans that are reported in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2009 table. See the Pension Benefits for ~~2006~~2009 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for ~~2006 table. Amounts shown here represent~~2009 table, and accompanying narratives, for a description of the named executive officers’ accumulated benefits under our qualified defined benefit pension plans and our nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

We provide disability benefits to all of our salaried employees equal to 60% of their base salary, subject to a cap on the amount of base salary taken into account when calculating benefits. For officers, the limit on base salary is $200,000. For other salaried employees, the limit is $100,000. For all salaried employees, disability payments continue until age 65 if disability occurs at or before age 60 and for 5 years if disability occurs between the ages of 60 and 65. Disability benefits are reduced for amounts paid as retirement benefits. The amounts in the tables reflect the present value of the disability benefits attributable to the additional ~~benefits~~$100,000 of base salary recognized for executives under our disability program, subject to ~~which~~ the ~~executive~~60% limitation, after reduction for amounts that would be ~~entitled. 58~~ ~~Martin A. White** ---------------~~ paid as retirement benefits. The present value of the disability benefits was determined using a discount rate of 5.75%. As the tables reflect, with the exception of Mr. Harp, the reduction for amounts paid as retirement benefits would eliminate disability benefits assuming a termination of employment on December 31, 2009.

Upon a change of control, share-based awards granted under our Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan vest and non-share-based awards are paid in cash. All shares of restricted stock would vest in full upon a change of control. All performance share awards would vest at their target levels. For this purpose, the term change of control is defined as:

- ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Not for Cause
	•	the acquisition by an individual, entity, or ~~Executive Benefits~~group of 20% or more of our outstanding voting securities
	•	a turnover in a majority of our board of directors without the approval of a majority of the members of the board who were members of the board as of the plan’s effective date or whose election was approved by such board members
	•	consummation of a merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the company’s assets, unless the company’s stockholders immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own more than 60% of the outstanding shares and ~~Change~~voting power of ~~Good Payments Upon Not for Control Reason Termination~~the resulting corporation after the merger or ~~Voluntary Early Normal Cause For Cause (without Termination Change~~the corporation that acquires the company’s assets, as the case may be or
	•	stockholder approval of Control Termination Retirement Retirement Termination Termination Death Disability termination) (CoC) - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Compensation: - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Base Salary - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Short-term incentive - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ 2004-2006 Performance Shares - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ 2005-2007 Performance Shares - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ 2006-2008 Performance Shares - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Stock Options - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Restricted Stock - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Benefits and Perquisites: - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Incremental Pension* - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Incremental Regular SISP* - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Incremental Excess SISP* - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Post-Retirement Health Care - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Life Insurance Proceeds - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Disability Benefits - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Employee Assistance Program - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Continuationthe company’s liquidation or dissolution.

Shares of restricted stock and associated dividends are forfeited upon termination of employment. Performance shares are forfeited if termination of employment occurs during the first year of the performance period. If a termination of employment occurs for a reason other than cause, performance share awards granted prior to 2009 are prorated as follows:

•

if the termination of Welfare Benefits - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Outplacement Services - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Tax Gross-up on Perquisites - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ 280G Tax Gross-up - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Total: - ------------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------

* Executive is also entitled to all benefits reflected on the Pension Benefits for 2006 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2006 table. Amounts shown here represent the additional benefits to whichemployment occurs during the second year of the performance period, the executive receives a prorated portion of any performance shares earned based on the number of months employed during the performance period and

•

if the termination of employment occurs during the third year of the performance period, the executive receives the full amount of any performance shares earned.

Beginning with performance share awards granted in 2009, these awards will be forfeited if the participant’s employment terminates for any reason before the participant has reached age 55 and completed 10 years of service. Performance shares and related dividend equivalents for those participants whose employment is terminated after the participant has reached age 55 and completed 10 years of service will be prorated as described above.

Accordingly, if a December 31, 2009 termination is assumed, the named executive officers’ 2009-2011 performance share awards would be ~~entitled. ** Mr. White retired on August 17, 2006. 59~~ ~~Vernon A. Raile ---------------~~

* Executive is also entitled to all benefits reflected onforfeited, any amounts earned under the ~~Pension Benefits for 2006 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2006 table. Amounts shown here represent the additional benefits to which the executive~~2008-2010 performance share awards would be ~~entitled. 60~~ ~~Warren L. Robinson** ------------------~~

* Executive isreduced by one-third, and any amounts earned under the 2007-2009 performance share awards would not be reduced. The number of performance shares earned depends on actual performance through the full performance period. As actual performance for the 2007-2009 performance share awards has been determined, the amounts for these awards in the event of a non-change of control termination were based on actual performance, which resulted in vesting of 100% of the target award. Amounts for the 2008-2010 performance share awards are also ~~entitled to all benefits reflected on~~shown at target, based upon assumed target performance. No amounts are shown for the ~~Pension Benefits for 2006 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2006 table. Amounts shown here represent the additional benefits to which the executive~~2009-2011 performance share awards because such awards would be ~~entitled. ** Mr. Robinson retired~~forfeited. Although vesting would only occur after completion of the performance period, the amounts shown in the tables were not reduced to reflect the present value of the performance shares that could vest. Dividend equivalents attributable to earned performance shares would also be paid. Dividend equivalents accrued through December 31, 2009 are included in the amounts shown.

The value of the vesting of shares of restricted stock and performance shares shown in the tables was determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock or performance shares that would vest upon termination or a change of control by the closing price of our stock on ~~February 17, 2006 61~~ ~~William E. Schneider --------------------~~

* Executive isDecember 31, 2009.

We also entitled to all benefits reflected on the Pension Benefits for 2006 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2006 table. Amounts shown here represent the additional benefits to which the executive would be entitled. 62 ~~John K. Castleberry -------------------~~

* Executive is also entitled to all benefits reflected on the Pension Benefits for 2006 table and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2006 table. Amounts shown here represent the additional benefits to which the executive would be entitled. 64 ~~Discussion of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control We~~ have change of control employment agreements with our named executive officers and other executives, which provide certain protections to the executives in the event there is a change of control of the company. We

For these purposes, we define ~~"change~~“change of control" as o the acquisition by an individual, entity or group of 20% or more of our voting securities o a turnover in a majority of our board of directors without the approval of a majority of the members of the board who were members of the board as of the agreement date or whose election was approved by such board members o consummation of a merger or consolidation, unless our stockholders immediately prior to the merger beneficially own more than 60% of the outstanding shares and voting power of the resulting corporation after the merger or o stockholder approval of our liquidation or dissolution. control” as:

	•	the acquisition by an individual, entity, or group of 20% or more of our voting securities
	•	a turnover in a majority of our board of directors without the approval of a majority of the members of the board who were members of the board as of the agreement date or whose election was approved by such board members
	•	consummation of a merger or consolidation, unless our stockholders immediately prior to the merger beneficially own more than 60% of the outstanding shares and voting power of the resulting corporation after the merger or
	•	stockholder approval of our liquidation or dissolution.

If a change of control occurs, the agreements provide for a three-year employment period from the date of the change of control, during which the named executive officer is entitled to ~~receive o~~ receive:

	•	a base salary of not less than twelve times the highest monthly salary ~~not less than the highest amount paid within the preceding twelve months o annual bonuses not less than the highest bonus~~ paid within the preceding twelve months
	•	annual incentive opportunity of not less than the highest annual incentive paid in any of the three years before the change of control
	•	participation in our incentive, savings, retirement, and welfare benefit plans
	•	reasonable vehicle allowance, home office allowance, and subsidized annual physical examinations and
	•	office and support staff, vacation, and expense reimbursement consistent with such benefits as they were provided before the change of control.

Assuming a change of control occurred on December 31, 2009, the guaranteed minimum level of base salary provided over the three-year employment period would not result in an increase in any of the named executive officers’ base salaries. The minimum annual incentive amounts Messrs. Hildestad, Raile, Harp, Schneider, and ~~o participation in our incentive, savings, retirement~~Bietz would be entitled to over the three-year employment period would be $[ • ], $[ • ], $[ • ], $[ • ], and ~~welfare benefit plans.~~$[ • ], respectively. The agreements also provide that severance payments and benefits will be provided o if the named executive officer's employment is terminated during the employment period, other than for cause or disability o if the named executive officer's employment is terminated prior to the change of control, if connected to the change of control, other than for cause or disability or 65 o the named executive officer resigns for good reason, which includes for any reason during the 30-day period beginning on the first anniversary of the change of control. "Cause"provided:

	•	if we terminate the named executive officer’s employment during the employment period, other than for cause or disability, or
	•	the named executive officer resigns for good reason.

“Cause” means the named executive ~~officer's~~officer’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform his duties or willfully engaging in illegal conduct or gross misconduct materially injurious to the company. "Good reason" includes o the diminution of the named executive officer's position, authority, duties or responsibilities o the reduction of the named executive officer's pay or benefits and o relocation or increased travel obligations. “Good reason” includes:

	•	a material diminution of the named executive officer’s authority, duties, or responsibilities
	•	a material change in the named executive officer’s work location and
	•	our material breach of the agreement.

In such event, the named executive officer would receive o three times his highest annual base pay within the last twelve months o three times his highest annual bonus, as defined o an immediate pro-rated cash-out of his bonus for the year of termination based on the highest annual bonus o receive:

	•	accrued but unpaid base salary and accrued but unused vacation
	•	a lump sum payment equal to three times his (a) annual salary using the higher of the then current annual salary or twelve times the highest monthly salary paid within the twelve months before the change of control and (b) annual incentive using the highest annual incentive paid in any of the three years before the change of control or, if higher, the annual incentive for the most recently completed fiscal year
	•	a pro-rated annual incentive for the year of termination
	•	an amount equal to ~~the excess of (a)~~ the actuarial equivalent of the additional benefit the named executive officer would receive under the SISP and any other supplemental or excess retirement plan if employment continued for an additional three years
	•	outplacement benefits and
	•	a payment equal to any federal excise tax on excess parachute payments if the total parachute payments exceed 110% of the safe harbor amount for that tax. If this 110% threshold is not exceeded, the named executive officer’s payments and benefits would be reduced to avoid the tax. The named executive officers are not reimbursed for any taxes imposed on this tax reimbursement payment.

This description of severance payments and benefits reflects the terms of the benefit under our qualified and nonqualified retirement plans that he would receive if he continued employment with the company for an additional three years over (b) the actual benefit paid or payable under these plans o welfare benefit plan coverage for the executive and his family for three years o outplacement benefits and o a modified tax gross-up. This is an additional payment to make the executive whole for any federal excise taxagreements as in effect on excess parachute payments, unless the total parachute payments were not more than 110% of the safe harbor amount for that tax, in which case the named executive officer's payments would be reduced to the safe harbor amount. Any compensation previously deferred will be distributed upon a termination in connection with a change of control. In addition, any awards granted under the Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Plan vest upon a change of control; performance awards that are not share-based are paid out in cash. In case of any termination of employment, theDecember 31, 2009.

The compensation committee may also consider providing severance benefits on a case-by-case ~~basis.~~basis for employment terminations not related to a change of control. The compensation committee adopted a checklist of factors in February 2005 to consider when determining whether any such severance benefits ~~will~~should be paid. The tables do not reflect any such severance benefits, as these benefits are made ~~upon termination. 66~~ ~~Director Compensation for 2006~~

~~(1) Valued based on $37.11,~~ the ~~purchase price~~discretion of the ~~stock~~committee on a case-by-case basis and it is not possible to estimate the ~~date of grant, April 28, 2006.~~severance benefits, if any, that would be paid.

Terry D. Hildestad

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control	Voluntary Termination ($)		Not for Cause Termination ($)		For Cause Termination ($)	Death ($)		Disability ($)		Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change of Control ($)		Change of Control (Without Termination) ($)
Compensation:
Base Salary											2,250,000
Short-term Incentive(1)											[ • ]
2007-2009 Performance Shares		836,653		836,653			836,653		836,653		836,653		836,653
2008-2010 Performance Shares		645,270		645,270			645,270		645,270		967,893		967,893
2009-2011 Performance Shares											1,326,741		1,326,741
Restricted Stock											87,603		87,603
Benefits and Perquisites:
Regular SISP(2)		3,944,219		3,944,219					3,944,219		3,944,219
Excess SISP(3)		842,838		842,838					842,838		842,838
SISP Death Benefits(4)							10,335,773
Disability Benefits
Outplacement Services											50,000
280G Tax(5)											1,940,878
Total		6,268,980		6,268,980			11,817,696		6,268,980		[ • ]		3,218,890

(1)

Includes the prorated annual incentive for the year of termination, which is the full annual incentive since we assume termination occurred on December 31, 2009, and the additional severance payment of three times the annual incentive. For each of these, we used the higher of (1) the annual incentive earned in 2009 or (2) the highest annual incentive paid in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

(2)

Represents the present value of Mr. Hildestad’s vested regular SISP benefit as of December 31, 2009, which was $42,710 per month for 15 years, commencing at age 65. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the regular SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of vesting credit assumed for purposes of calculating the additional SISP benefit under Mr. Hildestad’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his SISP amount.

(3)

Represents the present value of all excess SISP benefits Mr. Hildestad would be entitled to upon termination of employment under the SISP. The terms of the excess SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of employment assumed for purposes of calculating the additional retirement plan payment under Mr. Hildestad’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his excess SISP benefits.

(4)	Represents the present value of 180 monthly payments of $85,420 per month, which would be paid as a SISP death benefit under the SISP. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the SISP death benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(5)	Determined applying the Internal Revenue Code section 4999 excise tax of 20% only if 110% threshold is exceeded.

Vernon A. Raile

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control	Voluntary Termination ($)		Not for Cause Termination ($)		For Cause Termination ($)	Death ($)		Disability ($)		Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change of Control ($)		Change of Control (Without Termination) ($)
Compensation:
Base Salary											1,350,000
Short-term Incentive(1)											[ • ]
2007-2009 Performance Shares		317,661		317,661			317,661		317,661		317,661		317,661
2008-2010 Performance Shares		221,231		221,231			221,231		221,231		331,834		331,834
2009-2011 Performance Shares											477,611		477,611
Restricted Stock											26,290		26,290
Benefits and Perquisites:
Regular SISP(2)		2,790,741		2,790,741					2,790,741		2,790,741
SISP Death Benefits(3)							5,529,675
Disability Benefits
Outplacement Services											50,000
280G Tax(4)											856,992
Total		3,329,633		3,329,633			6,068,567		3,329,633		[ • ]		1,153,396

(1)

(2)

Represents the present value of Mr. Raile’s vested regular SISP benefit as of December 31, 2009, which was $22,850 per month for 15 years, commencing at age 65. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the regular SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of vesting credit assumed for purposes of calculating the additional SISP benefit under Mr. Raile’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his SISP amount.

(3)	Represents the present value of 180 monthly payments of $45,700 per month, which would be paid as a SISP death benefit under the SISP. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the SISP death benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(4)	Determined applying the Internal Revenue Code section 4999 excise tax of 20% only if 110% threshold is exceeded.

John G. Harp

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control	Voluntary Termination ($)			Not for Cause Termination ($)			For Cause Termination ($)	Death ($)		Disability ($)			Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change of Control ($)			Change of Control (Without Termination) ($)
Compensation:
Base Salary														1,350,000
Short-term Incentive(1)														[ • ]
2007-2009 Performance Shares		257,410			257,410				257,410		257,410			257,410			257,410
2008-2010 Performance Shares		221,231			221,231				221,231		221,231			331,834			331,834
2009-2011 Performance Shares														477,611			477,611
Restricted Stock
Benefits and Perquisites:
Incremental Pension(2)		107,307			107,307						107,307			184,737
Regular SISP		1,249,035	(3)		1,249,035	(3)					1,603,546	(4)		1,784,336	(5)
Excess SISP														116,185
SISP Death Benefits(6)									5,529,675
Disability Benefits(7)											227,839
Outplacement Services														50,000
280G Tax(8)														1,068,156
Total		1,834,983			1,834,983				6,008,316		2,417,333			[ • ]			1,066,855

(1)	Includes the prorated annual incentive for the year of termination, which is the full annual incentive since we assume termination occurred on December 31, 2009, and the additional severance payment of three times the annual incentive. For each of these, we used the higher of (1) the annual incentive earned in 2009 or (2) the highest annual incentive paid in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
(2)	Represents the equivalent of three additional years of service that would be provided under the Harp additional retirement benefit described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(3)

Represents the present value of Mr. Harp’s vested regular SISP benefit as of December 31, 2009, which was $15,995 per month for 15 years, commencing at age 65. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the regular SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. Also includes the additional benefit attributable to three additional years of service that would be provided under the retirement benefit agreement described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(4)	Represents the present value of the additional SISP retirement benefit due to an additional two years vesting under our SISP. The terms of the SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate.

(5)	Represents the payment that would be made under Mr. Harp’s change of control agreement based on the increase in the actuarial present value of his regular SISP benefit that would result if he continued employment for an additional three years. Also includes the additional benefit attributable to three additional years of service that would be provided under the retirement benefit agreement described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.
(6)	Represents the present value of 180 monthly payments of $45,700 per month, which would be paid as a SISP death benefit under the SISP. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the SISP death benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.
(7)	Represents the present value of the disability benefit after reduction for amounts that would be paid as retirement benefits. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate.
(8)	Determined applying the Internal Revenue Code section 4999 excise tax of 20% only if 110% threshold is exceeded.

William E. Schneider

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control	Voluntary Termination ($)		Not for Cause Termination (4)		For Cause Termination ($)	Death ($)	Disability ($)		Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change of Control ($)		Change of Control (Without Termination) ($)
Compensation:
Base Salary										1,342,200
Short-term Incentive(1)										[ • ]
2007-2009 Performance Shares		382,260		382,260		382,260		382,260		382,260		382,260
2008-2010 Performance Shares		247,451		247,451		247,451		247,451		371,177		371,177
2009-2011 Performance Shares										474,852		474,852
Restricted Stock										70,092		70,092
Benefits and Perquisites:
Regular SISP(2)		2,359,818		2,359,818				2,359,818		2,359,818
Excess SISP(3)		126,868		126,868				126,868		126,868
SISP Death Benefits(4)						5,529,675
Disability Benefits
Outplacement Services										50,000
280G Tax(5)										808,830
Total		3,116,397		3,116,397		6,159,386		3,116,397		[ • ]		1,298,381

(1)

(2)

Represents the present value of Mr. Schneider’s vested regular SISP benefit as of December 31, 2009, which was $22,850 per month for 15 years, commencing at age 65. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the regular SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of vesting credit assumed for purposes of calculating the additional SISP benefit under Mr. Schneider’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his SISP amount.

(3)

Represents the present value of all excess SISP benefits Mr. Schneider would be entitled to upon termination of employment under the SISP. The terms of the excess SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of employment assumed for purposes of calculating the additional retirement plan payment under Mr. Schneider’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his excess SISP benefits.

(4)	Represents the present value of 180 monthly payments of $45,700 per month, which would be paid as a SISP death benefit under the SISP. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the SISP death benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(5)	Determined applying the Internal Revenue Code section 4999 excise tax of 20% only if 110% threshold is exceeded.

Steven L. Bietz

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control	Voluntary Termination ($)		Not for Cause Termination ($)		For Cause Termination ($)	Death ($)		Disability ($)		Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change of Control ($)		Change of Control (Without Termination) ($)
Compensation:
Base Salary											1,050,000
Short-term Incentive(1)											[ • ]
2007-2009 Performance Shares		261,784		261,784			261,784		261,784		261,784		261,784
2008-2010 Performance Shares		173,171		173,171			173,171		173,171		259,757		259,757
2009-2011 Performance Shares											371,470		371,470
Restricted Stock											13,169		13,169
Benefits and Perquisites:
Regular SISP(2)		899,505		899,505					899,505		899,505
Excess SISP(3)		146,033		146,033					146,033		242,471
SISP Death Benefits(4)							3,898,602
Disability Benefits
Outplacement Services											50,000
280G Tax(5)											671,881
Total		1,480,493		1,480,493			4,333,557		1,480,493		[ • ]		906,180

(1)

(2)

Represents the present value of Mr. Bietz’s vested regular SISP benefit as of December 31, 2009, which was $16,110 per month for 15 years, commencing at age 65. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the regular SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table. The three additional years of vesting credit assumed for purposes of calculating the additional SISP benefit under Mr. Bietz’s change of control agreement would not increase the actuarial present value of his SISP amount.

(3)	Represents the present value of all excess SISP benefits Mr. Bietz would be entitled to upon termination of employment under the SISP. The terms of the excess SISP benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(4)	Represents the present value of 180 monthly payments of $32,220 per month, which would be paid as a SISP death benefit under the SISP. Present value was determined using a 5.75% discount rate. The terms of the SISP death benefit are described following the Pension Benefits for 2009 table.

(5)	Determined applying the Internal Revenue Code section 4999 excise tax of 20% only if 110% threshold is exceeded.

Director Compensation for 2009

Name (a)	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (b)			Stock Awards ($) (c)(1)		Option Awards ($) (d)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (e)		Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (f)		All Other Compensation ($) (g) (2)			Total ($) (h)

Thomas Everist		57,083			69,445		—(3)		—		—		174			126,702
Karen B. Fagg		55,250	(4)		69,445		—		—		—		174			124,869
A. Bart Holaday		50,583			69,445		—		—		—		174			120,202
Dennis W. Johnson		59,083			69,445		—		—		—		174			128,702
Thomas C. Knudson		52,083			69,445		—		—		—		174			121,702
Richard H. Lewis		55,083			69,445		—		—		—		174			124,702
Patricia L. Moss		52,083	(5)		69,445		—		—		—		174			121,702
John L. Olson		40,083	(6)		69,445		—(7)		—		—		563,060	(9)		672,588
Harry J. Pearce		130,000			69,445		—(8)		—		—		174			199,619
Sister Thomas Welder		50,583			69,445		—		—		—		174			120,202
John K. Wilson		53,583	(10)		69,445		—		—		—		174			123,202

(1)	Valued based on $17.147, the purchase price of the stock on the date of grant, May 18, 2009, which is the grant date fair value.

(2)	Group life insurance premiums, except for Mr. Olson.

(3)	Mr. Everist had 18,562 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

(4)	Includes $17,984 that Ms. Fagg received in our common stock in lieu of cash.

(5)	Includes $52,064 that Ms. Moss received in our common stock in lieu of cash.

(6)	Mr. Olson retired on August 13, 2009.

(7)	Mr. Olson had 18,562 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
(8)	Mr. Pearce had 13,500 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
(9)	Comprised of a group life insurance premium of $116 and the value of Mr. Olson’s deferred compensation at December 31, 2009, which is payable over five years in monthly installments.
(10)	Includes $44,578 that Mr. Wilson received in our common stock in lieu of cash.

Effective June 1, 2009, the board approved changes to the MDU Resources Group, life insurance premium, except for Mr. Nance. (3) Mr. Everist had 28,686 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, which are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (4) Retired effective August 17, 2006. (5) Mr. Nance had 33,748 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, which are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (6) Comprised of a group life insurance premium of $184Inc. Directors’ Compensation Policy, and the ~~value~~following table shows the cash and stock retainers payable to our non-employee directors.

	Effective June 1, 2009	Prior to June 1, 2009
Base Retainer	$55,000	$ 30,000
Additional Retainers:
Non-Executive Chairman	75,000	100,000 (1)(2)
Lead Director, if any	33,000	33,000
Audit Committee Chairman	10,000	10,000
Compensation Committee Chairman	5,000	5,000
Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman	5,000	5,000
Meeting Fees:
Board Meeting	–	1,500
Committee Meeting	–	1,500
Annual Stock Retainer	4,050 shares	4,050 shares

(1) $50,000 of ~~Mr. Nance's deferred compensation at December 31, 2006, which became payable over five years~~this amount was paid in ~~accordance with his election after his retirement. 67~~ (7) Mr. Olson had 28,686 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, which are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (8) Includes $100,208 for the April 28, 2006 stock grant and $18,546 of stock as part of Mr. Pearce's retainer as chairman of the board. (9) Mr. Pearce had 13,500 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, which are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. (10) Sister Thomas Welder is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation, B.M.V., which had 5,500 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, as adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. We increased compensation for our directors effective June 1, 2006. Each non-employee director, other than the lead director, if any, and the non-executive chairman of the board, receives $30,000, an increase of $10,000, and 4,050 shares of ourcompany common stock ~~as an annual retainer for~~prior to January 1, 2009.

(2) The Non-Executive Chairman does not receive board service. The lead director, if any, receives $63,000 and 4,050 shares of our common stock as an annual retainer. The non-executive chairman, which is a new position, receives $100,000, one-half in cash and one-half in stock, and 4,050 shares of our common stock as an annual retainer. We make the grants of our common stock on or about the fifteenth business day following the annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to the 1997 Non-Employee Director Long-Term Incentive Plan. The audit committee chairman receives an additional $10,000 annual retainer, an increase of $2,500. The nominating and governance and compensation committee chairmen each receive an additional $5,000 annual retainer, an increase of $1,000. Each non-employee director also receives $1,500 for each board meeting attended and each committee member receives $1,500 for each committee meeting ~~attended.~~ fees.

In addition to liability insurance, we maintain group life insurance in the amount of $100,000 on each non-employee director for the benefit of each ~~director's~~director’s beneficiaries during the time each director serves on the board. The annual cost per director is ~~$276.~~ $174.

Directors may defer all or any portion of the annual cash retainer, meeting fees, if any, and any other cash compensation paid for service as a director pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. Deferred amounts are held as phantom stock with dividend accruals and are paid out in cash over a five-year period after the director leaves the board.

Directors are reimbursed for all reasonable travel expenses including spousal expenses in connection with attendance at meetings of the board and its committees. All amounts together with any other perquisites were below the disclosure threshold for ~~2006.~~ 2009.

Our post-retirement income plan for directors was terminated in May 2001 for current and future directors. The net present value of each ~~director's~~director’s benefit was calculated and converted into phantom stock. Payment is deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and will be made in cash over a five-year period after the ~~director's~~director’s retirement from the board.

The board adopted stock ownership guidelines for directors in November 2005. Each director is expected to own our common stock equal in value to five times the ~~director's annual cash~~director’s base retainer. A director, with good cause and with the knowledge of the board, may donate or assign all of the ~~director's~~director’s company common stock to a charitable, religious, or non-profit 68 organization in lieu of ownership. Shares acquired through purchases on the open market and participation in our director stock plans will be considered in ownership calculations as will ownership of our common stock by a spouse. A director is allowed five years commencing January 1 of the year following the year of that ~~director's~~director’s initial election to the board to meet the guideline requirements. The level of common stock ownership is monitored with an annual report made to the compensation committee of the board. For stock ownership, please see “Security Ownership.”

In our Director Compensation Policy, we prohibit our directors from hedging their ownership of company common stock. Directors may not enter into transactions that allow the director to benefit from devaluation of our stock or otherwise own stock technically but without the full benefits and risks of such ownership.

Narrative Disclosure of our Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to Risk Management

We have reviewed our compensation policies and practices for all employees and concluded that any risks arising from our policies and programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.

INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

At the first annual meeting of the board atafter the February meeting. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ourannual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors elects our executive officers, who serve until ~~the next annual meeting of the board.~~their successors are chosen and qualify. A majority of our board of directors may remove any executive officer at any time. Information concerning our executive officers, including their ages, present corporate positions, and business experience, is as follows: Name Age Present Corporate Position and Business Experience - ------------------------ ----- -------------------------------------------- Terry D. Hildestad 57 President and Chief Executive Officer. For information about Mr. Hildestad, see "Election of Directors." Steven L. Bietz 48 Mr. Bietz was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of WBI Holdings, Inc. effective March 4, 2006; President effective January 2, 2006; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective September 1, 2002; Vice President-Administration and Chief Accounting Officer effective November 3, 1999; Vice-President-Administration effective February 1997; and Controller effective January 1994. John K. Castleberry 52 Mr. Castleberry was elected Executive Vice President - Administration effective March 4, 2006; President and Chief Executive Officer of WBI Holdings, Inc. and Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company effective November 1998; and President of WBI Holdings, Inc. effective January 1995. Paul Gatzemeier 56 Mr. Gatzemeier was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Energy Resources LLC effective November 11, 2004; Vice President and General Manager of Centennial Energy Resources LLC effective January 31, 2003; and Vice President and General Manager of Centennial Holdings Capital Corp. effective June 2001. 69 John G. Harp 54 Mr. Harp was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Utility Services Inc., which is now MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., effective September 29, 2004. From May 2004 to September 29, 2004, Mr. Harp was Vice President of Ledcor Technical Services Inc., a provider of fiber optic cable maintenance services. From April 2001 to May 2004, he was President of JODE CORP., a broadband maintenance company. Mr. Harp sold JODE CORP. to Ledcor Construction in May 2004. Prior to that, he was President of Harp Line Constructors and Harp Engineering, Inc. from July 1998, when they were bought by Utility Services Inc., to April 2001. Bruce T. Imsdahl 58 Mr. Imsdahl was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co., divisions of the Company, effective November 11, 2004. He previously was President of these two divisions effective July 4, 2003. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President of these divisions effective February 5, 2003, Vice President-Energy Supply of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. effective November 1, 1992 and Vice President-Power Supply of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. effective May 4, 1989. Nicole A. Kivisto 33 Ms. Kivisto was elected Controller effective December 1, 2005. Prior to that she was a Financial Analyst IV in the Corporate Planning Department effective May 2003; a Financial and Investor Relations Analyst in the Investor Relations Department effective May 2000; and a Financial Analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department effective July 1995. Vernon A. Raile

Name	Age	Present Corporate Position and Business Experience
Terry D. Hildestad	60	President and Chief Executive Officer. For information about Mr. Hildestad, see “Election of Directors.”

Steven L. Bietz	51	Mr. Bietz was elected president and chief executive officer of WBI Holdings, Inc. effective March 4, 2006; president effective January 2, 2006; executive vice president and chief operating officer effective September 1, 2002; vice president-administration and chief accounting officer effective November 3, 1999; vice president-administration effective February 1997; and controller effective January 1994.

William R. Connors	48	Mr. Connors was elected vice president–renewable resources of MDU Resources Group, Inc., effective September 1, 2008. Prior to that, he was vice president-business development of Cascade Natural Gas Corporation effective November 2007; vice president-origination, contracts & regulatory of Centennial Energy Resources, LLC, effective January 2007; vice president-origination, contracts & regulatory of Centennial Power, Inc., effective July 2005; and, was first employed as vice president-contracts & regulatory of Centennial Power, Inc., effective July 2004. Prior to that Mr. Connors was of counsel to Miller Nash, LLP, a law firm in Seattle, Washington.

Mark A. Del Vecchio	50	Mr. Del Vecchio was elected vice president–human resources on October 1, 2007. From November 3, 2003 to October 1, 2007, Mr. Del Vecchio was director of executive programs and compensation. From April 1996 to October 31, 2003, Mr. Del Vecchio was vice president and member of The Carter Group, LLC, an executive search and management consulting company.

David L. Goodin	48	Mr. Goodin was elected president and chief executive officer of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., Great Plains Natural Gas Co., and Cascade Natural Gas Corporation effective June 6, 2008, and president and chief executive officer of Intermountain Gas Company effective October 1, 2008. Prior to that, he was president of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. effective March 1, 2008; president of Cascade Natural Gas Corporation effective July 2, 2007; executive vice president-operations and acquisitions of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. effective January 2007; vice president-operations effective January 2000; electric systems manager effective April 1999; electric systems supervisor effective August 1993; division electric superintendent effective February 1989; and division electrical engineer effective May 1983.

John G. Harp	57	Mr. Harp was elected president and chief executive officer of Utility Services Inc., which is now MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., effective September 29, 2004. From May 2004 to September 29, 2004, Mr. Harp was vice president of Ledcor Technical Services Inc., a provider of fiber optic cable maintenance services. From April 2001 to May 2004, he was president of JODE CORP., a broadband maintenance company. Mr. Harp sold JODE CORP. to Ledcor Construction in May 2004. Prior to that, he was president of Harp Line Constructors Co. and Harp Engineering, Inc. from July 1998, when they were bought by Utility Services Inc., to April 2001.

61 Mr. Raile was elected Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer effective March 1, 2006; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 3, 2006; and Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer effective November 2002. He served as Controller until May 2003. He was Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from August 1992 until November 2002. Cindy C. Redding 48 Ms. Redding was elected Vice President-Human Resources effective July 2003 and was Director of Human Resources from December 2002 until 70 July 2003. Before joining the Company, she served from July 1998 until December 2002 in the positions of Director, Human Resources, Molded Plastics Division, as Corporate Benefits Planning & Delivery Manager, and as Manager, Strategic Staffing Services, for Sonoco Products Company, a global packaging company. Prior to that, Ms. Redding worked for Abbott Laboratories, a global health care company, as Manager, Human Resources, Abbott International Division, from 1997 to July 1998. From 1980 to 1997, she worked in various business administration and human resources roles, domestic and international, for Amoco Corporation, a worldwide integrated energy company. Paul K. Sandness 52 Mr. Sandness was elected General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, its divisions and major subsidiaries effective April 6, 2004. He also was elected a Director of the Company's principal subsidiaries and was appointed to the Managing Committees of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. Prior to that he served as a Senior Attorney effective 1987 and as an Assistant Secretary of several subsidiary companies. William E. Schneider 58 Mr. Schneider was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Knife River Corporation effective May 1, 2005; and Senior Vice President-Construction Materials effective from September 15, 1999 to April 30, 2005. Doran N. Schwartz 37 Mr. Schwartz was elected Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer effective March 1, 2006; and Assistant Vice President-Special Projects effective September 6, 2005. Prior to that, he was Director of Controllership for American Express, a financial services company, from November 2004 to August 2005; Audit Manager for Deloitte & Touche, an audit and professional services company, from June 2002 to November 2004; and Audit Manager/Senior for Arthur Andersen, an audit and professional services company, from December 1997 to June 2002. John P. Stumpf 47 Mr. Stumpf was elected Vice President - Strategic Planning effective December 1, 2006. Mr. Stumpf was Vice President - Corporate Development for Knife River Corporation from July 1, 2002 to 71 November 30, 2006 and Director of Corporate Development of Knife River Corporation from January 14, 2002 to June 30, 2002. Prior to that, he was Special Projects Manager for Knife River Corporation from May 1, 2000 to January 13, 2002. 72 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITY OWNERSHIP - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name	Age	Present Corporate Position and Business Experience
Nicole A. Kivisto	36	Ms. Kivisto was elected vice president, controller and chief accounting officer effective February 17, 2010. Prior to that she was controller effective December 1, 2005; a financial analyst IV in the Corporate Planning Department effective May 2003; a financial and investor relations analyst in the Investor Relations Department effective May 2000; and a financial analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department effective July 1995.

Douglass A. Mahowald	60	Mr. Mahowald was elected treasurer and assistant secretary effective February 17, 2010. Prior to that he was the assistant treasurer and assistant secretary effective August 1992; treasury services manager effective November 1982; and budget statistician effective February 1982.
Cynthia J. Norland	55	Ms. Norland was elected vice president–administration effective July 16, 2007. Prior to that she was the assistant vice president–administration effective January 17, 2007; associate general counsel in the Legal Department effective March 6, 2004; and senior attorney in the Legal Department effective June 1, 1995.

Vernon A. Raile	65	Mr. Raile retired on [February 16, 2010]. He served as executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer effective March 1, 2006; executive vice president and chief financial officer effective January 3, 2006; and senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer effective November 2002. He served as controller until May 2003. He was vice president, controller and chief accounting officer from August 1992 until November 2002.

Paul K. Sandness	55	Mr. Sandness was elected general counsel and secretary of the company, its divisions and major subsidiaries effective April 6, 2004. He also was elected a director of the company’s principal subsidiaries and was appointed to the Managing Committees of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. Prior to that he served as a senior attorney effective 1987 and as an assistant secretary of several subsidiary companies.

William E. Schneider	61	Mr. Schneider was elected president and chief executive officer of Knife River Corporation effective May 1, 2005; and senior vice president-construction materials effective from September 15, 1999 to April 30, 2005.

Doran N. Schwartz	40	Mr. Schwartz was elected vice president and chief financial officer effective February 17, 2010. Prior to that he was vice president and chief accounting officer effective March 1, 2006; and assistant vice president-special projects effective September 6, 2005. He was director of membership rewards for American Express, a financial services company, from November 2004 to August 1, 2005; audit manager for Deloitte & Touche, an audit and professional services company, from June 2002 to November 2004; and audit manager/senior for Arthur Andersen, an audit and professional services company, from December 1997 to June 2002.

John P. Stumpf	50	Mr. Stumpf was elected vice president–strategic planning effective December 1, 2006. Mr. Stumpf was vice president–corporate development for Knife River Corporation from July 1, 2002 to November 30, 2006 and director of corporate development of Knife River Corporation from January 14, 2002 to June 30, 2002. Prior to that, he was special projects manager for Knife River Corporation from May 1, 2000 to January 13, 2002.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The table below sets forth the number of shares of our capital stock that each director and each nominee for director, each named executive officer and all directors and executive officers as a group owned beneficially as of December 31, ~~2006.~~ 2009.

			Common Shares Beneficially Owned Include:
Name	Common Shares Beneficially Owned(1)		Shares Individuals Have Rights to Acquire Within 60 Days(2)	Shares Held By Family Members(3)	Percent of Class	Deferred Director Fees Held as Phantom Stock(4)
Steven L. Bietz	58,516	(5)			*
Thomas Everist	1,870,623	(6)	18,562		1.0	26,642
Karen B. Fagg	19,381				*
John G. Harp	77,356	(5)			*
Terry D. Hildestad	184,043	(5)			*
A. Bart Holaday	14,050				*
Dennis W. Johnson	67,506	(7)		4,560	*
Thomas C. Knudson	9,500				*
Richard H. Lewis	16,200				*	10,152
Patricia L. Moss	42,276				*
Harry J. Pearce	158,850		13,500		*	43,806
Vernon A. Raile	56,426	(5)			*
William E. Schneider	102,898	(5)			*
Sister Thomas Welder	46,942	(8)			*	20,271
John K. Wilson	67,578				*
All directors and executive officers as a group (23 in number)	2,929,144		42,512	14,146	1.6	100,871

~~- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common~~
*	Less than one percent of the class.

(1)	“Beneficial ownership” means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or investment power with respect to a security.

(2)	Indicates shares of our stock that executive officers and directors have the right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options. These shares are included in the “Common Shares Beneficially ~~Owned Include: ------------------------------~~Owned” column.

(3)	These shares are included in the “Common Shares ~~Individuals Have Rights~~Beneficially Owned” column.

(4)	These shares are not included in the “Common Shares Beneficially Owned” column. Directors may defer all or a portion of their cash compensation pursuant to Common Shares Acquire Shares Held By Beneficially Within 60 Family Percent Name Owned(1) Days(2) Members(3)the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. Deferred amounts are held as phantom stock with dividend accruals and are paid out in cash over a five-year period after the director leaves the board.

(5)	Includes full shares allocated to the officer’s account in our 401(k) retirement plan.

(6)

Includes 1,820,000 shares of ~~Class - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~~ John K. Castleberry 16,980(7) * Thomas Everist 3,458,473(4) 28,686 1.9 Karen B. Fagg 4,550 * John G. Harp 100,516(7) * Terry D. Hildestad 115,625(7) * Dennis W.common stock acquired through the sale of Connolly-Pacific to us.

(7)

Mr. Johnson ~~46,365(5)~~disclaims all beneficial ownership of the 4,560 * Richard H. Lewis 4,050 * Patricia L. Moss 23,572 * John L. Olson 111,148 28,686 * Harry J. Pearce 141,186 13,500 * Vernon A. Raile 38,449(7) * Warren L. Robinson 14,111(6) 5,505 * William E. Schneider 56,092(7) *shares owned by his wife.

(8)

The total includes shares held by the Annunciation Monastery, of which community Sister ~~Thomas~~ Welder 60,260(8) 5,500 * Martin A. White 304,431(9) 83,283 * John K. Wilson 41,942 * All directorsis a member, and executive officers as a group (24 in number) 4,709,398 76,822 94,885 2.6 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ by the University of Mary, of which Sister Welder is the president emerita. The monastery owns 33,260 shares. Sister Welder disclaims all beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the monastery and the university.

* Less than one percent of the class. (1) "Beneficial ownership" means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or investment power with respect to a security. (2) Indicates shares of our stock that executive officers and directors have the right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options. These shares are included in the "Common Shares Beneficially Owned" column. (3) These shares are included in the "Common Shares Beneficially Owned" column. 73 (4) Includes 3,420,000 shares of common stock acquired through the sale of Connolly-Pacific to us. (5) Mr. Johnson disclaims all beneficial ownership of the 4,560 shares owned by his wife. (6) Mr. Robinson resigned from his position as an officer on January 3, 2006 and retired effective February 17, 2006. (7) Includes full shares allocated to the officer's account in our 401(k) retirement plan. (8) The total includes shares held by the Annunciation Monastery, of which community Sister Welder is a member, and by the University of Mary, of which Sister Welder is the president. The monastery owns 42,873 shares, and it may acquire 5,500 shares within 60 days pursuant to stock options. The university owns 11,887 shares. Sister Welder disclaims all beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the monastery and the university. (9) Includes full shares allocated to the officer's account in our 401(k) retirement plan. Mr. White retired on August 17, 2006.

_______________

The table below sets forth information with respect to any person we know to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any class of our voting securities. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Title of Class Amount and Nature Percent Name and Address of Beneficial of of Beneficial Owner Ownership Class ------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock New York Life Trust 7,916,227 6.6% Company (1)(2) 51 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) In a Schedule 13G/A, Amendment No. 6, filed on February 13, 2006, New York Life Trust Company indicates that it holds these shares as directed trustee of our 401(k) plan and has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares. (2) Not adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effective July 26, 2006. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RELATED PERSON DISCLOSURE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title of Class	Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership	Percent of Class
Common Stock	New York Life Trust Company 51 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010	10,800,821(1)	5.881%

Common Stock	BlackRock, Inc. 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022	10,863,566(2)	5.79%

(1)	In a Schedule 13G/A, Amendment No. 9, filed on February 13, 2009, New York Life Trust Company indicates that it holds these shares as directed trustee of our 401(k) plan and has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares.

(2)

In a Schedule 13G, filed on January 29, 2010, BlackRock, Inc. reports that it completed its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors on December 1, 2009 and amends the most recent Schedule 13G filing made by Barclays Global Investors, NA and certain of its affiliates with respect to our common stock. BlackRock, Inc. reports sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares as the parent holding company or control person of BlackRock Asset Management Japan Limited, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Australia Limited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Capital Management, Inc., BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd, BlackRock International Ltd and BlackRock Investment Management UK Ltd.

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTION DISCLOSURE

The board of directors has adopted a policy for the review of related person transactions. This policy is contained in our corporate governance guidelines, which are posted on our website at www.mdu.com. 74

The audit committee reviews related person transactions in which we are or will be a participant to determine if they are in the best interests of our stockholders and the company. Financial transactions, arrangements, relationships, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements, or relationships in which a related person had or will have a material interest and that exceed $120,000 are subject to the ~~committee's~~committee’s review.

Related persons are directors, director nominees, executive officers, holders of 5% or more of our voting stock, and their immediate family members. Immediate family members are spouses, parents, stepparents, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, siblings, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, children, stepchildren, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and any person, other than a tenant or domestic employee, who shares in the household of a director, director nominee, executive officer, or holder of 5% or more of our voting stock.

After its review, the committee makes a determination or a recommendation to the board ~~which ultimately decides whether~~and officers of the company with respect to ~~approve or ratify a~~the related person transaction. ~~The board's decision~~Upon receipt of the committee’s recommendation, the board of directors or officers, as the case may be, ~~based on~~takes such action as they deem appropriate in light of their responsibilities under applicable laws and regulations.

The audit committee and the ~~committee's recommendation or on its independent evaluation~~board of ~~whether~~directors reviewed two leases between an indirect subsidiary of the ~~transaction is~~company and a Montana partnership, Mojo, owned by John G. Harp, President and Chief Executive Officer of MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., and his brother, Michael D. Harp. The properties described in these two leases are located in Kalispell and Billings, Montana and have been leased since 1998. In November 2007, the audit committee determined that renewing these leases was in the company’s best interests after it reviewed 2004 third party appraisals for the properties and a 2007 appraisal of the Kalispell property and considered the consumer price index and our ~~stockholders~~operating companies’ knowledge of local property markets. The audit committee recommended and the company. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- board approved three-year leases for these properties that provide for our indirect subsidiary to pay a combined monthly rent of $10,100 to Mojo, a Montana partnership.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence ~~- ---------------------~~

The board of directors has adopted ~~a statement of policy~~guidelines on director independence that ~~includes categorical standards~~are included in our corporate governance guidelines, which are available for ~~director independence. We have posted this statement of policy to~~review on our corporate website at ~~www.mdu.com and attached the policy to our proxy statement as exhibit "C"~~http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/ 2008_11_CorpGvrnGuide.pdf. The board of directors has determined that all current members of the board and all members of the board during 2006 o have or had no material relationship with us and o are or were independent in accordance with our statement of policy on director independence standards, the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, except Terry D. Hildestad, our president and chief executive officer, and MartinThomas Everist, Karen B. Fagg, A. ~~White, our former chairman and chief executive officer, who~~Bart Holaday, Dennis W. Johnson, Thomas C. Knudson, Richard H. Lewis, Patricia L. Moss, John L. Olson (until he retired August ~~17, 2006.~~ 13, 2009), Harry J. Pearce, Sister Thomas Welder, and John K. Wilson:

	•	have no material relationship with us and
	•	are independent in accordance with our director independence guidelines and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

In determining director independence for ~~2006,~~2009, the board of directors considered the following transactions or relationships: ~~o Mr. Everist's~~

	•	Mr. Everist’s ownership at that time of approximately 1.8 million shares of our common stock
	•	charitable contributions to the City of Dickinson in the amount of $20,000 – Mr. Johnson was president of the City of Dickinson board of commissioners; payment to the company for utility line relocation done by our division, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., in the regular course of business at the request of TMI Systems Design Corporation in the amount of $71,530 – Mr. Johnson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TMI Systems Design Corporation
	•	charitable contributions to Colorado UpLift in the amount of $25,000 – Mr. Lewis was a director and member of Colorado UpLift’s executive committee
	•	charitable contributions to St. Alexius Medical Center in the amount of $6,000 – Sister Welder was a director of St. Alexius; payment of our employees’ tuition and education-related expenses and charitable contributions in the amount of $62,500 to the University of Mary – Sister Welder was the president of the University of Mary in 2008; and charitable contributions to Missouri Slope Areawide United Way in the amount of $20,500 – Sister Welder was a director of the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way and
	•	public utility services provided by our utility operations to entities with which directors are affiliated at rates fixed by the regulatory bodies having jurisdiction.

Director Resignation Upon Change of approximately 3.5 million shares of our common stock o charitable contributions to the City of Dickinson and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation - Mr. Johnson is president of the City of Dickinson board of commissioners and was director of the foundation 75 o business relationships that we describe in the notes to our financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 between subsidiaries of MDU Resources Group, Inc. and companies with which Mr. Nance, our director who retired in August 2006, is affiliated and o the provision of electric service and charitable contributions to the University of Mary and St. Alexius Medical Center - Sister Welder is president of the University of Mary andJob Responsibility

Our corporate governance guidelines require a director ~~of St. Alexius.~~ to tender his or her resignation after a material change in job responsibility. In 2009, no directors submitted resignations under this requirement.

Code of Conduct ~~- ---------------~~

We have a code of conduct ~~applicable~~and ethics, which we refer to ~~directors, officers, managerial employees and~~as the Leading With Integrity Guide, which applies to all employees, ~~involved in financial activities on our behalf. We also have a code of ethics that applies generally to our employees.~~ directors, and officers.

We intend to satisfy our disclosure obligations regarding o amendments to, or waivers of, any provision of the code of conduct that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition in Regulation S-K, Item 406(b) and o waivers of the code of conduct for our directors or executive officers, as required by New York Stock Exchange listing standards, regarding:

	•	amendments to, or waivers of, any provision of the code of conduct that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition in Regulation S-K, Item 406(b) and
	•	waivers of the code of conduct for our directors or executive officers, as required by New York Stock Exchange listing standards

by posting such information on our website at ~~www.mdu.com.~~ http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/IntegrityGuide.pdf.

Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The board separated the positions of chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 2006 and elected Harry J. Pearce, a non-employee independent director, as our chairman, and Terry D. Hildestad as our president and chief executive officer. Separating these positions allows our chief executive officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the chairman of the board to lead the board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management. The board recognizes the time, effort, and energy that the chief executive officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our chairman, particularly as the board’s oversight responsibilities continue to grow. While our bylaws and corporate governance guidelines do not require that our chairman and chief executive officer positions be separate, the board believes that having separate positions and having an independent outside director serve as chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for the company at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance.

Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of risks, including economic risks, environmental and regulatory risks, and others, such as the impact of competition and weather conditions. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the company faces, while the board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the board of directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed.

The board believes that establishing the right “tone at the top” and that full and open communication between management and the board of directors are essential for effective risk management and oversight. Our chairman meets regularly with our president and chief executive officer and other senior officers to discuss strategy and risks facing the company. Senior management attends the quarterly board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the board on risk management-related and any other matters. Each quarter, the board of directors receives presentations from senior management on strategic matters involving our operations. The board holds strategic planning sessions with senior management to discuss strategies, key challenges, and risks and opportunities for the company.

While the board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at our company, our three board committees assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. The audit committee assists the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and, in accordance with New York Stock Exchange requirements, discusses policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. Risk assessment reports are regularly provided by management to the audit committee. The compensation committee assists the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs. The nominating and governance committee assists the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with board organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our directors and executive officers, and corporate governance.

Board Meetings and Committees ~~- -----------------------------~~

During ~~2006,~~2009, the board of directors held ~~eight~~five meetings. Each incumbent director attended at least ~~75 percent~~75% of the combined total meetings of the board and the committees on which the director served during ~~2006.~~2009. Director attendance at our annual meeting of stockholders is left to the discretion of each director. ~~Two~~Four directors attended our ~~2006~~2009 annual meeting of stockholders.

Harry J. Pearce ~~served as lead director until August 17, 2006, when he~~ was elected non-employee chairman of the ~~board.~~board on August 17, 2006. Mr. Pearce served as lead director from February 15, 2001 to August 17, 2006. He presides at the executive session of the non-employee directors held in connection with each regularly scheduled quarterly board of directors meeting. The non-employee directors also meet in executive session with the chief executive officer at each regularly scheduled quarterly board of directors meeting.

The board has a standing audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and governance committee. These committees are composed entirely of independent directors under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

The audit, compensation, and nominating and governance committees have charters, which are available for review ~~along with our corporate governance guidelines, code of conduct, 76~~ ~~and code of ethics,~~ on our website at ~~www.mdu.com. You may obtain copies of any of these documents by writing to the secretary, MDU Resources Group, Inc.~~http://www.mdu.com/Governance/Pages/Board

ChartersandCommittees.aspx. Our corporate governance guidelines are available at http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/2008_11_CorpGvrnGuide.pdf, ~~P.O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND 58506-5650.~~ and our Leading With Integrity

Guide is also on our website at http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/IntegrityGuide.pdf.

Nominating and Governance Committee ~~- -----------------------------------~~

The nominating and governance committee met ~~four~~three times during ~~2006.~~2009. The committee members ~~are~~were John L. Olson, chairman, Karen B. Fagg, Richard H. Lewis, and Sister Thomas Welder. ~~Robert~~John L. ~~Nance~~Olson served as ~~a member~~chairman of the committee until ~~his retirement~~he retired from the board on August ~~17, 2006. Thomas Everist, Harry J. Pearce~~13, 2009, and ~~John K. Wilson served as members of the committee until August 17, 2006.~~ Karen B. Fagg became chairman.

The nominating and governance committee provides recommendations to the board with respect ~~to o~~to:

	•	board organization, membership, and function
	•	committee structure and membership
	•	succession planning for our executive management and directors and
	•	corporate governance guidelines applicable to us.

The nominating and governance committee assists the board ~~organization, membership and function o committee structure and membership o succession planning for our executive~~in overseeing the management ~~and o corporate governance guidelines applicable to us.~~ of risk in the committee's areas of responsibility.

The committee identifies individuals qualified to become directors and recommends to the board the nominees for director for the next annual meeting of stockholders. The committee also identifies and recommends to the board individuals qualified to become our principal officers and the nominees for membership on each board committee. The committee oversees the evaluation of the board and management.

In identifying nominees for director, the committee consults with board members, our management, consultants, and other individuals likely to possess an understanding of our business and knowledge concerning suitable director candidates. ~~We have a~~

Our corporate governance guidelines include our policy on consideration of director candidates recommended to ~~us and~~us. We will consider candidates that our stockholders recommend. In November 2008, we amended our policy to include additional information stockholders must provide regarding their recommended candidates. Stockholders may submit director candidate recommendations to the nominating and governance committee chairman in care of the secretary at MDU Resources Group, Inc., P.O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND 58506-5650. Please include the following information: ~~o the candidate's name, age, business address and telephone number o the candidate's principal occupation and o~~

	•	the candidate’s name, age, business address, residence address, and telephone number
	•	the candidate’s principal occupation
	•	the class and number of shares of our stock owned by the candidate
	•	a description of the candidate’s qualifications to be a director
	•	whether the candidate would be an independent director and
	•	any other information you believe is relevant with respect to the recommendation.

These guidelines provide information to stockholders who wish to recommend candidates for director for consideration by the nominating and governance committee. Stockholders who wish to actually nominate persons for election to our board at an annual meeting of stockholders must follow the procedures set forth in section 2.08 of our bylaws. You may obtain a copy of the bylaws by writing to the ~~recommendation. You should submit such information~~secretary of MDU Resources Group, Inc. at ~~least 120 days prior to~~ the ~~anniversary~~address above. Our bylaws are also

available on our website at http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/MDU%20ResourcesBylaws.pdf. See also the section entitled “2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders” later in the ~~mail date of last year's~~ proxy ~~statement, or for next year, no later than November 9, 2007. 77~~ statement.

There are no differences in the manner by which the committee evaluates director candidates recommended by stockholders and those recommended by other sources.

In evaluating director candidates, the committee considers an ~~individual's o~~individual’s

	•	background, character, and experience
	•	skills and experience which complement the skills and experience of current board members
	•	success in the individual’s chosen field of endeavor
	•	skill in the areas of accounting and financial management, banking, general management, human resources, marketing, operations, public affairs, law, and operations abroad
	•	background in publicly traded companies
	•	geographic area of residence
	•	independence, including affiliations or relationships with other groups, organizations, or entities and
	•	prior and future compliance with applicable law and all applicable corporate governance, code of conduct and ethics, conflict of interest, corporate opportunities, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading policies, and our other policies and guidelines.

On February 11, 2010, the board, upon recommendation of the nominating and governance committee, amended our corporate governance guidelines to include diversity as a consideration in identifying nominees for director. When identifying nominees to serve as director, the nominating and governance committee will consider candidates with diverse business and professional experience, skills, gender, and ethnic background, ~~character~~as appropriate, in light of the current composition and needs of the board. The nominating and governance committee will assess the effectiveness of this policy annually in connection with the nomination of directors for election at the annual meeting of stockholders. The composition of the current board reflects diversity in business and professional experience, o skills, and experience which complement the skills and experience of current board members o success in the individual's chosen field of endeavor o skill in the areas of accounting and financial management, banking, general management, human resources, marketing, operations, public affairs, law and operations abroad o background in publicly traded companies o geographic area of residence and o affiliations or relationships with other groups, organizations or entities. gender.

The committee generally will hire an outside firm to perform a background check on potential nominees.

Audit Committee ~~- ---------------~~

The audit committee is a separately-designated standing committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The audit committee met seven times during ~~2006.~~2009. The audit committee members are Dennis W. Johnson, chairman, A. Bart Holaday, Richard H. Lewis, ~~John L. Olson~~ and John K. Wilson. ~~Robert~~John L. ~~Nance~~Olson served ~~as a member of~~on the committee until ~~his retirement~~he retired from the board on August ~~17, 2006. Patricia L. Moss and Sister Thomas Welder served as members of the committee until August 17, 2006.~~13, 2009. The board of directors has determined that Messrs. Johnson, Holaday, Lewis, Olson (until he retired), and Wilson are ~~"audit~~“audit committee financial ~~experts"~~experts” as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and Messrs. Johnson, Holaday, Lewis, Olson (until he retired), and Wilson are ~~all~~ independent under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

The audit committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to the stockholders and serves as a communication link among the board, management, the independent auditors, and the internal auditors. The audit committee: o assists the board's oversight of - the integrity of our financial statements - our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements 78 - the independent auditors' qualifications and independence and - the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors and o prepares the report that Securities and Exchange Commission rules require we include in our annual proxy statement. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•	assists the board’s oversight of
	•	the integrity of our financial statements and system of internal controls
	•	our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
	•	the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence
	•	the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors and
	•	risk management in the audit committee's areas of resonsibility and
	•	prepares the report that Securities and Exchange Commission rules require we include in our annual proxy statement.

_______________

Audit Committee Report

In connection with our financial statements for the year ended December 31, ~~2006,~~2009, the audit committee has (1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, ~~AICPA,~~ (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section ~~380,~~380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; (3) received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by ~~Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as adopted by~~applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ~~in Rule 3600T,~~regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent accountant the independent ~~accountant's~~accountant’s independence.

Based on the review and discussions referred to in items (1) through (3) of the above paragraph, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2006~~2009 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dennis W. Johnson, Chairman

A. Bart Holaday

Richard H. Lewis ~~John L. Olson~~

John K. Wilson ~~-------------------~~

_______________

Compensation Committee ~~- ----------------------~~

The compensation committee met four times during ~~2006.~~2009. The compensation committee members are Thomas Everist, chairman, Karen B. Fagg, Thomas C. Knudson, and Patricia L. Moss. ~~Dennis W. Johnson, Richard H. Lewis and Harry J. Pearce served as members of the committee until August 17, 2006. Mr. Pearce served as chairman of the committee until June 1, 2006.~~

The compensation ~~committee's~~committee’s responsibilities, as set forth in its charter, include: ~~o review and recommend changes to the board regarding our executive compensation policies for directors and executives 79~~ o evaluate the chief executive officer's performance and, either as a committee or together with other independent directors as directed by the board, determine his compensation o recommend to the board the compensation of our other Section 16 officers and directors o establish goals, make awards, review performance and determine, or recommend to the board, awards earned under our annual and long-term incentive compensation plans o review and discuss with management the compensation discussion and analysis and based upon such review and discussion, determine whether to recommend to the board that the compensation discussion and analysis be included in our proxy statement or our Annual Report on Form 10-K o arrange for the preparation of and approve the compensation committee report to be included in our proxy statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K and o sole authority to retain and discharge and approve fees for compensation consultants.

	•	review and recommend changes to the board regarding our executive compensation policies for directors and executives
	•	evaluate the chief executive officer’s performance and, either as a committee or together with other independent directors as directed by the board, determine his or her compensation
	•	recommend to the board the compensation of our other Section 16 officers and directors
	•	establish goals, make awards, review performance and determine, or recommend to the board, awards earned under our annual and long-term incentive compensation plans
	•	review and discuss with management the compensation discussion and analysis and based upon such review and discussion, determine whether to recommend to the board that the compensation discussion and analysis be included in our proxy statement and/or our Annual Report on Form 10-K
	•	arrange for the preparation of and approve the compensation committee report to be included in our proxy statement and/or Annual Report on Form 10-K and
	•	assist the board in overseeing the management of risk in the committee's areas of responsibility.

The compensation committee and the board of directors have sole and direct responsibility for determining compensation offor our Section 16 officers and directors. ~~They~~The compensation committee makes recommendations to the board regarding compensation of all Section 16 officers, and the board then approves the recommendations. The compensation committee and the board may not delegate ~~this~~their authority. They may, however, use recommendations from outside consultants, the chief executive officer, and the human resources department. The chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the vice ~~president - human~~president-human resources, and general counsel regularly attend compensation committee meetings. The committee meets in executive session as needed. ~~The compensation committee makes recommendations to the board regarding compensation of all Section 16 officers, and the board then approves the recommendations.~~

We discuss our processes and procedures for consideration and determination of compensation of our Section 16 officers in the ~~compensation discussion~~Compensation Discussion and ~~analysis.~~Analysis. We also discuss in the ~~compensation discussion~~Compensation Discussion and ~~analysis~~Analysis the role of our executive officers and compensation consultants in determining or recommending compensation for our Section 16 officers.

The compensation committee has sole authority to retain, discharge, and approve fees and other terms and conditions for retention of compensation consultants to assist in consideration of the compensation of the chief executive officer, the other Section 16 officers, and the board of directors. The compensation committee charter requires the committee’s pre-approval of the engagement of the committee’s compensation consultants by the company for any other purpose.

In February 2009, the compensation committee approved the retention of Towers Perrin as its compensation consultant for 2009 to perform duties to be identified in an engagement letter. In an engagement letter dated March 3, 2009 and signed by the chairman of the compensation committee, the compensation committee requested Towers Perrin to provide an executive compensation review similar to those prepared in prior years.

The review was to

·	match company positions to survey data

·	develop 2010 competitive estimates on base salaries and targeted short-term and long-term incentives

·	compare company base salaries and targeted short-term and long-term incentives, by position, to market estimates

·	construct a recommended 2010 salary grade structure, salary grade changes, and changes in base salaries and incentive targets based on competitive data and

·	address general trends in executive compensation, such as overall salary movement and the recession’s impact on executive compensation.

In May 2009, upon recommendation of the chairman, the committee decided not to continue the consultant’s engagement for 2009 due to budget concerns and the company’s ability to access data through other sources.

The compensation committee did authorize the company to participate in compensation and employee benefits surveys sponsored by Towers Perrin.

The board of directors determines compensation for our non-employee directors based upon recommendations from the compensation committee. ~~The~~In February 2009, the compensation committee ~~reviewed and made recommendations with respect to director~~decided that the compensation atreview for the board of directors would be undertaken internally by the company, rather than by an outside consultant. At its May ~~2006 meeting. At that~~2009 meeting, the committee reviewed ~~a survey on~~the analysis of competitive data and recent trends in director compensation prepared by ~~Towers Perrin at~~ the ~~direction of the compensation committee.~~company. The ~~Towers Perrin survey used market~~company’s analysis was based on proxy data from our performance graph peer group companies ~~gathered~~compiled by Equilar and on data from ~~their 2006 proxy filings.~~the National Association of Corporate Directors 2008/2009 Director Compensation Report. The committee compared this ~~survey~~ data to our 80 ~~o annual cash retainer to non-employee directors~~directors’ compensation and ~~to the non-executive chairman~~each of the board o stock awards to all non-employee directors o board meeting fees to all non-employee directors o committee meeting fees and o committee chairperson fees. Our chief executive officer reported to the committee on the portion of the survey regarding non-executive chairman compensation.its components. After review and discussion of the market data, ~~the compensation committee made recommendations to increase~~which indicated that aggregate director compensation towas at the ~~61st percentile~~median of ~~the market data in the Towers Perrin survey. The board approved the recommendations. At its May and August 2006 meetings, the committee also reviewed a report prepared by~~ the National Association of Corporate Directors ~~on best practices on director compensation. The committee noted that,~~2008/2009 Director Compensation Report companies and above the median – 65th percentile – of the ~~six best practices identified in~~peer group companies, the ~~report, five of the policies, regarding director~~ compensation ~~programs, director stock ownership~~committee recommended, and the ~~use of independent professional or financial service providers, have been adopted.~~ board approved, that the annual retainer be increased by $25,000 to $55,000 and that the monthly fees be eliminated, effective June 1, 2009.

Stockholder Communications ~~- --------------------------~~

Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to contact the board of directors or an individual director, including our non-employee chairman or non-employee directors as a group, should address a communication in care of the secretary at MDU Resources Group, Inc., P.O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND 58506-5650. The secretary will forward all communications. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that officers, directors, and holders of more than 10% of our common stock file reports of their trading in our equity securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based solely on a review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 and any amendments to these forms furnished to us during and with respect to ~~2006~~2009 or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, we believe that all such reports were timely filed. 81 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER BUSINESS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our

OTHER BUSINESS

Neither the board of directors nor management ~~knows of no other matters~~intends to ~~come~~bring before the ~~meeting. However, if~~meeting any business other than the matters referred to in the notice of annual meeting and this proxy statement. In addition, other than as described under Item 6 above and in the following sentences, we have not been informed that any other matter will be presented to the meeting by others. One stockholder proposal was submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement, which we have omitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proxy rules. If this stockholder complies with our advance notice bylaw provisions and properly presents the proposal at the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote against this proposal. If any other matter requiring a vote of the stockholders should arise, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARED ADDRESS STOCKHOLDERS - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHARED ADDRESS STOCKHOLDERS

In accordance with a notice sent to eligible stockholders who share a single address, we are sending only one annual report to stockholders and one proxy statement to that address unless we received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as ~~"householding,"~~“householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a stockholder of record wishes to receive a separate annual report orto stockholders and proxy statement in the future, he or she may contact the office of the treasurer at MDU Resources Group, Inc., P.O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND ~~58506-5650.~~58506-5650, Telephone Number: (701) 530-1000. Eligible stockholders of record who receive multiple copies of our annual report to stockholders and proxy statement can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. Stockholders who own shares through a bank, broker, or other nominee can request householding by contacting the nominee.

We hereby undertake to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the annual report to stockholders orand proxy statement ~~as applicable,~~ to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Director Nominations: Our bylaws provide that director nominations may be made only by (i) the board at any meeting of stockholders or ~~the nominating committee or~~(ii) at an annual meeting by a stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors and who has complied with the procedures established by the bylaws. For a nomination to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder intending to make the nomination must have given timely and proper notice of the nomination in writing to the corporate secretary in accordance with and containing all information and the completed questionnaire provided for in the bylaws. To be timely, such notice must be delivered ~~written~~to or mailed to the corporate secretary and received at our principal executive offices not later than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. For purposes of our annual meeting of stockholders expected to be held April 26, 2011, any stockholder who wishes to submit a nomination must submit the required notice to the corporate ~~secretary. The written notice must contain certain information specified in the bylaws and must be received at least 120 days prior to the anniversary date~~secretary on ~~which we first mailed our proxy materials for the prior year's annual stockholders' meeting.~~ or before January 27, 2011.

Other Meeting Business: Our bylaws also provide that no business may be brought before an annual ~~stockholders'~~ meeting except (i) as specified in the meeting notice given by or at the direction of the board, (ii) as otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board or (iii) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder entitled to vote who has ~~delivered written~~complied with the procedures established by the bylaws. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder (other than nomination of a person for election as a director which is described above) the stockholder must have given timely and proper notice of such business in writing to the ~~company secretary. The written notice must contain certain~~corporate secretary, in accordance with, and containing all information ~~specified~~provided for in the bylaws and such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of Delaware. To be timely, such notice must be delivered or mailed to the corporate secretary and received at ~~least 120~~our principal offices not later than the close of business 90 days prior to the first anniversary ~~date~~of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. For purposes of our annual meeting expected to be held April 26, 2011, any stockholder who wishes to bring business before the meeting (other than nomination of a person for election as a director which is described above) must submit the required notice to the corporate secretary on ~~which we first mailed our proxy materials for the prior year's annual stockholders' meeting. 82~~ or before January 27, 2011.

Discretionary Voting: Rule 14a-4 of the Securities and Exchange ~~Commission's~~Commission’s proxy rules allows us to use discretionary voting authority to vote on matters coming before an annual ~~stockholders'~~stockholders’ meeting if we do not have notice of the matter at least 45 days before the anniversary date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the prior ~~year's~~year’s annual ~~stockholders'~~stockholders’ meeting or the date specified by an advance notice provision in our bylaws. Our bylaws contain an advance notice provision that we have described above. For our annual meeting of stockholders expected to be held on April ~~22, 2008,~~26, 2011, stockholders must submit such written notice to the corporate secretary on or before ~~November 9, 2007.~~ January 27, 2011.

Stockholder Proposals: The requirements we describe above are separate from and in addition to the Securities and Exchange ~~Commission's~~Commission’s requirements that a stockholder must meet to have a stockholder proposal included in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. For purposes of our annual meeting of stockholders expected to be held on April ~~22, 2008,~~26, 2011, any stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials must submit such proposal to the corporate secretary on or before November ~~9, 2007.~~ 12, 2010.

Bylaw Copies: You may obtain a copy of the full text of the bylaw provisions discussed above by writing to the corporate secretary. Our bylaws are also available on our website at: http://www.mdu.com/Documents/Governance/ MDU%20ResourcesBylaws.pdf.

We will make available to our stockholders to whom we ~~mail~~furnish this proxy statement a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, excluding exhibits, for the year ended December 31, ~~2006,~~2009, which is required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may obtain a copy, without charge, upon written or oral request to the Office of the Treasurer of MDU Resources Group, Inc., 1200 West Century Avenue, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND 58506-5650, Telephone Number: (701) 530-1000. You may also access our Annual Report on Form 10-K through our website at www.mdu.com.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Paul K. Sandness

Secretary

March ~~8, 2007 83~~ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT A - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12, 2010

EXHIBIT A

MDU Resources Group, Inc.’s Proposed Amendments

to Its Restated Certificate of Incorporation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) hereby declares it advisable:

(A) That the ~~number~~provisions requiring a supermajority vote by stockholders set forth in Articles TWELFTH and FIFTEENTH of ~~shares~~the Restated Certificate of ~~Common Stock which~~Incorporation of the ~~Company is authorized~~Corporation be repealed, and that certain technical amendments to ~~issue~~the provisions of Articles THIRTEENTH and FOURTEENTH of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be ~~increased from 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock~~adopted in connection with the ~~par value~~repeal of ~~$1.00 per share, to 500,000,000 shares with~~such supermajority vote provisions and the ~~par value~~declassification of ~~$1.00 per share,~~the Board of Directors of the Corporation effected in 2007, effective at the close of business on the date on which the appropriate Certificate of Amendment to the ~~Company's~~Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

(B) That, in order to effect the foregoing, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as heretofore amended, be further amended by deleting the first paragraph of Article FOURTH, and by inserting in place thereof a new first paragraph of said Article FOURTH to read as follows: FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation, shall have authority to issue is TwoFive Hundred Fifty-Two Million (252,000,000502,000,000) divided into four classes, namely, Preferred Stock, Preferred Stock A, Preference Stock, and Common Stock. The total number of shares of such Preferred Stock authorized is Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the par value of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per share (hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock") amounting in the aggregate to Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000). The total number of shares of such Preferred Stock A authorized is One Million (1,000,000) shares without par value (hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock A"). The total number of shares of such Preference Stock authorized is Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares without par value (hereinafter called the "Preference Stock"). The total number of shares of such Common Stock authorized is TwoFive Hundred Fifty Million (250,000,000500,000,000) of the par value of One and no/100 Dollars ($1.00) per share (hereinafter called the "Common Stock"), amounting in the aggregate to TwoFive Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000). 500,000,000). FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors hereby directs that this resolution and above proposed amendment be attached as an exhibit to the proxy statement for the Company's next Annual or Special Meeting of Stockholders for consideration by the Stockholders entitled to vote in respect thereof. A-1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT B - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of MDU Resources Group, Inc. hereby declares it advisable: (A) That the Board of Directors of the Company be declassified and the members of the Board of Directors be elected annually, effective at the close of business on the date on which the appropriate Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (B) That, in order to effect the foregoing, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as heretofore amended, be further amended by amending ~~Article~~Articles TWELFTH, THIRTEENTH, ~~to read~~FOURTEENTH and FIFTEENTH as follows: ~~THIRTEENTH.~~

TWELFTH. [RESERVED]

Part I. For the purposes of this Article TWELFTH, the following terms shall have the meaning hereinafter set forth:

(a) “Affiliate” or “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on January 1, 1985.

(b) A person shall be a “Beneficial Owner” of any Voting Stock:

(i) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates (as herein defined) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or

(ii) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or

(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of Voting Stock.

(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary with (A) any Interested Stockholder or (B) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder; or

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(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $5,000,000 or more but shall not include transactions between the Corporation and its Subsidiaries; or

(iii) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $5,000,000 or more; or,

(iv) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder; or

(v) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, statutory share exchange, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder.

(d) “Continuing Director” shall mean any member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, the Interested Stockholder (as such term is used in the context of a Business Combination) and was a member of the Board prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder and any successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, the Interested Stockholder and is designated to succeed a Continuing Director by two-thirds of Continuing Directors then on the Board.

(e) “Fair Market Value” means:

(i) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the thirty-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for the New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape for the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the thirty-day period preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if NASDAQ is not then in use, any other system then in use, or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors in good faith; and

(ii) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by a majority of the Continuing Directors in good faith.

(f) “Institutional Voting Stock” shall mean any class of Voting Stock which was issued to and continues to be held solely by one or more insurance companies, pension funds, commercial banks, savings banks and/or similar financial institutions or institutional investors.

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(g) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which:

(i) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or

(ii) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, became the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 10 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or

(iii) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

For the purpose of determining whether a person is an Interested Stockholder pursuant to this paragraph (g), the number of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (b) of this Part I but shall not include any other shares of Voting Stock which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

(h) In the event of any Business Combination in which the Corporation survives the phrase “consideration other than cash to be received” as used in Sections (a) and (b) of Part II of this Article TWELFTH shall include the shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of any other class of outstanding Voting Stock retained by the holders of such shares.

(i) A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, trust, corporation or other entity.

(j) “Subsidiary” means any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in paragraph (g) of this Part I, the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

(k) “Voting Stock” shall mean each share of stock of the Corporation generally entitled to vote in elections of directors.

The Continuing Directors of the Corporation shall have the power and duty to determine, for the purposes of this Article TWELFTH, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine the applicability of the various provisions of this Article TWELFTH, including (a) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder, (b) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person, (c) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, and (d) whether a class of Voting Stock is Institutional Voting Stock. Any such determination made in good faith shall be binding and conclusive on all parties.

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PART II.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in Part III of this Article TWELFTH and in addition to any other provision of law and as may otherwise be set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the consummation of any Business Combination shall require that all of the following conditions shall have been met:

(a) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination shall be at least equal to the highest of the following:

(i) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it (A) within the two-year period immediately prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of the Business Combination (the “Announcement Date”) or (B) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is highest;

(ii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the date on which the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder (such latter date is referred to in this Article TWELFTH as the “Determination Date”), whichever is higher; and

(iii) (if applicable) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock determined pursuant to paragraph (ii) above, multiplied by the ratio of (A) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date to (B) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the first day in such two-year period upon which the Interested Stockholder acquired any shares of Common Stock.

(b) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class of outstanding Voting Stock other than Common Stock (and other than Institutional Voting Stock), shall be at least equal to the highest of the following (it being intended that the requirements of this paragraph (b) shall be required to be met with respect to every class of outstanding Voting Stock, whether or not the Interested Stockholder has previously acquired any shares of a particular class of Voting Stock):

(i) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of such class of Voting Stock acquired by it (A) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or (B) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher;

(ii) (if applicable) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares of such class of Voting Stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;

(iii) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and

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(iv) (if applicable) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock determined pursuant to paragraph (b)(iii) above, multiplied by the ratio of (A) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of such class of Voting Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date to (B) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the first day in such two-year period upon which the Interested Stockholder acquired any shares of such class of Voting Stock.

(c) The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested Stockholder has previously paid for shares of such class of Voting Stock. If the Interested Stockholder has paid for shares of any class of Voting Stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration for such class of Voting Stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired by it.

(d) After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination:

(i) except as approved by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or not cumulative) on the outstanding Preferred Stock;

(ii) there shall have been (A) no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock), except as approved by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, and (B) an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock, unless the failure so to increase such annual rate is approved by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors; and

(iii) such Interested Stockholder shall have not become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Stock except as part of the transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder.

(e) After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise.

(f) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed Business Combination and containing the information specified for proxy or information statements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations) shall be mailed to stockholders of the Corporation at least thirty days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or subsequent provisions).

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PART III.

Unless the Business Combination shall have been approved by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, (a) the provisions of Part II of this Article TWELFTH shall be applicable to each particular Business Combination, and (b) any such Business Combination shall be approved by the affirmative vote of at least four-fifths of the voting power of all shares of Voting Stock (considered for purposes of this Article TWELFTH as one class, it being understood that for purposes of this Article TWELFTH, each share of Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation).

PART IV.

Nothing contained in this Article TWELFTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

THIRTEENTH. (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors consisting of not less than six nor more than fifteen persons. The exact number of directors within the limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors. The directors need not be elected by ballot unless required by the By-Laws of the Corporation. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as may be. The initial term of office of each director in the first class shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1986; the initial term of office of each director in the second class shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1987; and the initial term of office of each director in the third class shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1988.

At ~~each annual election commencing at theAt~~ each annual meeting of stockholders, ~~of 1986,,~~ the ~~successors to the class of~~ directors ~~whose term expires at that time~~ shall be elected ~~to hold office~~ for ~~a term of three years to succeed those whose term expires, so that the term of one class of directors shall expire each year.for~~ terms expiring at the next annual meeting of ~~stockholders;~~stockholders; provided, however, that each director elected at the annual meetings of stockholders held in 2005, 2006 and 2007 shall serve for the full three-year term to which such director was ~~elected.~~elected. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he is elected or appointed and until his successor shall be elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office or death, or until he shall resign or be ~~removed.~~ removed.

In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, ~~(i)~~ each director then serving as such shall ~~B-1~~ nevertheless continue as a director ~~of the class of which he is a member~~ until the expiration of his current term, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office or death, and (ii) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to maintain such classes as nearly equal in number as may be. . death.

(b) Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled by a two-thirds vote of the Continuing Directors then in office, or a sole remaining director, although less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of ~~stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires.~~stockholders. If one or more directors shall resign from the Board effective as of a future date, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled pursuant to the provisions hereof, and such new directorship(s) shall become effective when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office ~~as herein provided in the filling of other vacancies.~~ for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed; however, such removal must be for cause and must be approved as set forth in this Section. Except as may otherwise be provided by law, cause for removal shall be construed to exist only if: (i) the director whose removal is proposed has been convicted, or where a director was granted immunity to testify where another has been convicted, of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and such conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; (ii) such director has been grossly negligent in the performance of his duties to the Corporation; or (iii) such director has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be mentally incompetent, which mental incompetency directly affects his ability as a director of the Corporation, and such adjudication is no longer subject to direct appeal.

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Removal for cause, as cause is defined above, must be approved by at least a majority vote of the shares of the Corporation then entitled to be voted at an election for that director, and the action for removal must be brought within three months of such conviction or adjudication. ~~B-2~~

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise provided by law, in the event that Preferred Stock of the Corporation is issued and holders of any one or more series of such Preferred Stock are entitled, voting separately as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation to serve for such terms as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of this Article THIRTEENTH, Section (c), shall also apply, in respect to the removal of a director or directors so elected to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.

(d) Any directors elected pursuant to special voting rights of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting as a class, shall be excluded from, and for no purpose be counted in, the scope and operation of the foregoing provisions, unless expressly stated.

(e) For purposes of this Article THIRTEENTH, the following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter set forth:

(i) “Affiliate” or “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on January 1, 1985.

(ii) A person shall be a “Beneficial Owner” of any Voting Stock:

(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or

(B)which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (1) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (2) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or

(C)which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of Voting Stock.

(iii) “Continuing Director” shall mean any member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, any Interested Stockholder and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time that any Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder and any successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, any Interested Stockholder and is designated to succeed a Continuing Director by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors.

(iv) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which:

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(A) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or

(B)is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, became the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or

(C)is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

For the purpose of determining whether a person is an Interested Stockholder pursuant to this Article THIRTEENTH, Section (e)(iv), the number of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned through application of Section (e)(ii) of this Article THIRTEENTH but shall not include any other shares of Voting Stock which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

(v) A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, trust, corporation or other entity.

(vi) “Subsidiary” means any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in Section (e)(iv) of this Article THIRTEENTH, the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

(vii) “Voting Stock” shall mean each share of stock of the Corporation generally entitled to vote in elections of directors.

The Continuing Directors of the Corporation shall have the power and duty to determine, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine the applicability of the various provisions of this Article THIRTEENTH, including (A) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder, (B) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person, and (C) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another. Any such determination made in good faith shall be binding and conclusive on all parties.

(f) Capitalized terms used and not defined in Article FOURTEENTH or in Article SIXTEENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation which are defined in Section (e) of this Article THIRTEENTH shall have the meanings, for purposes of Article FOURTEENTH and Article SIXTEENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, ascribed to such terms in Section (e) of this Article THIRTEENTH.

FOURTEENTH. The Board of Directors, in evaluating any proposal by another party to (a) make a tender or exchange offer for any securities of the Corporation, (b) effect a Business Combination (as defined in Article TWELFTH),merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Corporation or (c) effect any other transaction having an effect upon the properties, operations or control of the Corporation similar to a tender or exchange offer or Business Combination for any securities of the Corporation or a merger, consolidation or other business

A-8

combination of the Corporation, as the case may be, whether by an Interested Stockholder (as defined in Article TWELFTH) or otherwise, may, in connection with the exercise of its judgment as to what is in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, give due consideration to the following:

(i) the consideration to be received by the Corporation or its stockholders in connection with such transaction in relation not only to the then current market price for the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, but also to the market price for the capital stock of the Corporation over a period of years, the estimated price that might be achieved in a negotiated sale of the Corporation as a whole or in part through orderly liquidation, the premiums over market price for the securities of other corporations in similar transactions, current political, economic and other factors bearing on securities prices and the Corporation’s financial condition, future prospects and future value as an independent Corporation;

(ii) the character, integrity and business philosophy of the other party or parties to the transaction and the management of such party or parties;

(iii) the business and financial conditions and earnings prospects of the other party or parties to the transaction, including, but not limited to, debt service and other existing or likely financial obligations of such party or parties, the intention of the other party or parties to the transaction regarding the use of the assets of the Corporation to finance the acquisition, and the possible effect of such conditions upon the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and the other elements of the communities in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries operate or are located;

(iv) the projected social, legal and economic effects of the proposed action or transaction upon the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, its employees, suppliers, customers and others having similar relationships with the Corporation, and the communities in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries do business;

(v) the general desirability of the continuance of the Corporation as an independent entity; and

(vi) such other factors as the Continuing Directors may deem relevant.

FIFTEENTH. [RESERVED]Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least four-fifths of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, Articles TWELFTH, THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, FIFTEENTH and SIXTEENTH of this Certificate of Incorporation, provided that such four-fifths vote shall not be required for any amendment, alteration, change or repeal recommended to the stockholders by two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, as defined in Article TWELFTH.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors hereby directs that this resolution and above proposed ~~amendment~~amendments be attached as an exhibit to the proxy statement for the ~~Company's next~~Corporation’s 2010 Annual ~~or Special~~ Meeting of Stockholders for consideration by the stockholders entitled to vote in respect ~~thereof. B-3~~ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT C - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MDU Resources Group, Inc. Statementthereof;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of ~~Policy Director Independence Standards I. Policy It~~the proposed amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation by the stockholders, the proper officers of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to file a Certificate of Amendment to the ~~sense~~Corporation’s Restated Certificate of ~~this Board that the expertise and perspective of independent directors is of great value and benefit to MDU Resources Group, Inc. ("MDU") and its stockholders. Accordingly, and in keeping~~

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Incorporation with the ~~other high standards~~Secretary of ~~corporate governance which this Board has established for itself, the listing standards~~State of the ~~New York Stock Exchange, and laws and regulations applicable~~State of Delaware, to ~~MDU, this Board establishes~~amend the ~~following guidelines~~Corporation’s Registration Statement on director independence and for determining whether its members are independent. II. Director Independence - General The Board believes that a substantial majority of its members should satisfy these standards for independence. No director may be deemed independent unlessForm 8-A relating to the Board affirmatively determines, after due deliberation, that the director has no material relationship with MDU either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with MDU. In each case, the Board shall broadly consider all the relevant facts and circumstances and shall apply these standards. Trivial or de minimis affiliations or connections to MDU by a director or his or her immediate family will not generally be cause for the Board to determine that the director is not independent. In addition a director is not independent if: (1) The director is, or has been within the last three years, an employee, or has an immediately family member who is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer, of MDU. (2) The director has received, or has an immediate family member who has received, during any twelve month period within the last three years, more than $100,000 in direct compensation from MDU, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service). C-1 ~~(3) (A) The director or an immediate family member~~common stock of the ~~director is a current partner of a firm that is MDU's internal~~Corporation, and to file any and all other documents and to take any and all such further action as they deem necessary or ~~external auditor; (B) the director is a current employee of~~appropriate to reflect such a firm; (C) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who participates in the firm's audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or (D) the director or an immediate family member of the director was within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on MDU's audit within that time. (4) The director or an immediate family member of the director is, or has been within the last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of MDU's present executive officers at the same time serves or served on that company's compensation committee. (5) The director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, MDU for property or services in an amount which in any of the last three fiscal years exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company's consolidated gross revenues. In applying the foregoing, both the payments and the consolidated gross revenues to be measured will be those reported in the last completed fiscal year. Contributions to tax exempt organizations are not considered "payments" for purposes of this paragraph 5. Relationships involving a director's affiliation with another company that account for lesser amounts than those specified in this paragraph 5 will not be considered to be material relationships that would impair the director's independence, provided that the related payments for goods and services or in connection with other contractual arrangements (i) are made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated parties, or (ii) involve the rendering of services as a public utility at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority. (6) The director (or an immediate family member of the director) serves as an officer, director or trustee for a not-for-profit organization, and, within the organization's preceding three fiscal years, MDU's discretionary contributions in any single year to the organization exceed 2% of that organization's consolidated gross revenues, or $1 million, whichever is greater. MDU's automatic matching of employee charitable contributions will not be included in the amount of MDU's contributions for purposes of this paragraph (6). (7) The director is (or is affiliated with an organization that is) a significant advisor, counsel or consultant to MDU. (8) The ownership of stock of MDU by directors is encouraged and substantial stock ownership (not involving control) will not affect the independence status of a director. For purposes of Section II(3) of this policy only, "immediate family member" means a director's spouse, minor child or stepchild, or an adult child or stepchild sharing a home with the director. As used elsewhere in this policy, the term "immediate family member" includes a C-2 person's spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares such person's home. The Board will annually review the commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting and charitable (and other non-profit) relationships between MDU's directors and the organizations with which they and the members of their immediate families have material interests. For relationships that are either not covered by or do not satisfy these guidelines, the determination of whether the relationship is material or not, and therefore whether the director would be independent or not, shall be made by the directors satisfying the independence guidelines. III. Director Independence - Audit Committee Members No director who is a member of the Audit Committee of the Board may accept any consulting, advisory or compensatory fee from MDU, or from any of its subsidiary companies, other than in that director's capacity as a member of the Board or any of the Board's several committees. In addition, no director who is a member of the Audit Committee may be an affiliated person of MDU or any of its subsidiary companies apart from affiliation occasioned by the director's service as a member of the Board or any of the Board's several committees. A director would be deemed an affiliated person of MDU if that director directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with MDU. IV. Approval, Adoption, Amendment and Restatement This Statement of Policy of the Board of Directors of MDU was approved and adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors of MDU at a meeting thereof held the 13th day of August, 2003, and was amended and restated the 17th day of February, 2005. C-3 ~~[LOGO]~~ amendments.

A-10

MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Tuesday, April ~~24, 2007~~ 27, 2010

11:00 a.m. Central Daylight ~~Savings~~Saving Time

909 Airport Road

Bismarck, ND If you consented to access the Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement via the Internet, these documents may be viewed by going to the MDU Resources Group, Inc. website. The website address is: www.mdu.com/2007-proxy.html If you would like to access the proxy materials electronically next year go to the following Consent site address: www.econsent.com/mdu/ [MDU RESOURCES LOGO] 1200 WEST CENTURY AVENUE MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 5650 BISMARCK, ND 58506-5650 (701) 530-1000 PROXY ================================================================================


	1200 West Century Avenue Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5650 Bismarck, ND 58506-5650 (701) 530-1000	proxy

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors for the

Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April ~~24, 2007.~~ 27, 2010.

This proxy will also be used to provide voting instructions to New York Life Trust Company, as Trustee of the MDU Resources Group, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan, for any shares of Company common stock held in the plan.

The undersigned hereby appoints Harry J. Pearce and Paul K. Sandness and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all Common Stock of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 11:00 a.m., Central Daylight ~~Savings~~Saving Time, April ~~24, 2007,~~27, 2010, at 909 Airport Road, Bismarck, ND, and at any adjournment(s) thereof, upon all subjects that may properly come before the meeting, including the matters described in the Proxy Statement furnished herewith, subject to any directions indicated on the reverse side. Your vote is important! Ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting. Either (1) submit your proxy by touch-tone telephone, (2) submit your proxy by Internet or (3) mark, date, sign and return this ~~letter~~ proxy card in the envelope provided (no postage is necessary if mailed in the United States). If no directions are given, the proxies will vote in accordance with the ~~Directors'~~Directors’ recommendation on all matters listed on this proxy, and at their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

See reverse for voting instructions. ================== COMPANY # ================== There are three ways to vote your Proxy Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, dated, signed and returned your proxy card. VOTE BY PHONE - - TOLL FREE - - 1-800-560-1965 - - QUICK*** EASY*** IMMEDIATE - - Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 noon (CDT) on Monday, April 23, 2007. - - Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Payer Identification Number available. - - Follow the simple instructions the Voice provides you. VOTE BY INTERNET - - www.eproxy.com/mdu/ - - QUICK*** EASY*** IMMEDIATE - - Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 noon (CDT) on Monday, April 23, 2007. - - Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Payer Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we've provided or return it to MDU Resources Group, Inc., c/o Shareowner Services (SM), P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.

	Address Change? Mark Box to the right and indicate changes below o	COMPANY #
	ADDRESS BLOCK

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

		INTERNET – www.eproxy.com/mdu Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 12:00 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, April 26, 2010.
		PHONE – 1-800-560-1965 Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 12:00 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, April 26, 2010.
		MAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided, or return it to MDU Resources Group, Inc., c/o Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.

If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card. v

Please ~~detach~~fold here v – Do not separate

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote ~~"FOR"~~“FOR” all ~~Nominees, "FOR"~~nominees and “FOR” Items 2, 3, ~~and~~ 4, and ~~"AGAINST" Item~~ 5.

1.	Election of directors:
			FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN			FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN

01.		Thomas Everist	o	o	o	06.	Thomas C. Knudson	o	o	o
02.		Karen B. Fagg	o	o	o	07.	Richard H. Lewis	o	o	o
03.		Terry D. Hildestad	o	o	o	08.	Patricia L. Moss	o	o	o
04.		A. Bart Holaday	o	o	o	09.	Harry J. Pearce	o	o	o
05.		Dennis W. Johnson	o	o	o	10.	John K. Wilson	o	o	o

~~1. Election~~

Repeal of 01 Terry D. Hildestad 03 John L. Olson [ ] Vote FOR [ ] Vote directors: all WITHHELD 02 Dennis W. Johnson 04 John K. Wilson nominees from all (except as nominees indicated below) ============================== (Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) ============================== ~~2. Amend Article FOURTH~~article TWELFTH of our restated certificate of ~~[ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain~~ incorporation, relating to ~~increase~~business combinations with interested stockholders, and related amendments.

o For

o Against

o Abstain

3.	Repeal of article FIFTEENTH of our ~~authorized shares~~restated certificate of ~~common stock 3. Amend Article~~incorporation, which contains supermajority vote requirements.	o For	o Against	o Abstain
4.	Repeal of section (c) of article THIRTEENTH of our restated certificate of ~~[ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain~~ incorporation, ~~to declassify our board of~~which provides that directors 4. may be removed only for cause.	o For	o Against	o Abstain

5.	Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent ~~[ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain~~ auditors for ~~2007 5. Stockholder~~2010.	o For	o Against	o Abstain

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “AGAINST” Item 6.

6.Stockholder proposal requesting ~~sustainability~~a report ~~[ ]~~ on coal combustion waste.

o For ~~[ ]~~

o Against ~~[ ]~~

o Abstain This Proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed or, if no direction is given, will be voted FOR each Director, FOR Items 2, 3 and 4 and AGAINST Item 5. Address Change? Mark Box [ ] Indicate changes below:

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES, FOR ITEMS 2, 3, 4, AND 5, AND AGAINST ITEM 6.

Date _________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Signatures(s)____________________________________________________________________

Signature(s) in ~~box~~ Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) ~~appear~~appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons ~~must~~should sign. Trustees, ~~administrators,~~administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the ~~proxy.~~ Proxy.

x		Preliminary Proxy Statement
o		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o		Definitive Proxy Statement
o		Definitive Additional Materials
o		Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

		A. Bart Holaday Age 67		Director Since 2008 Audit Committee
		Mr. Holaday headed the Private Markets Group of UBS Asset Management and its predecessor entities for 15 years prior to his retirement in 2001, during which time he managed more than $19 billion in investments. Prior to that he was vice president and principal of the InnoVen Venture Capital Group. He was founder and president of Tenax Oil and Gas Corporation, an onshore Gulf Coast exploration and production company, from 1980 through 1982. He has four years of senior management experience with Gulf Oil Corporation, a global energy and petrochemical company, and eight years of senior management with the federal government, including the Department of Defense, Department of the Interior, and the Federal Energy Administration. He is currently the president and owner of Dakota Renewable Energy Fund, LLC, which invests in small companies in North Dakota. He is a member of the investment advisory board of Commons Capital LLC, a venture capital firm; a member of the board of directors of Adams Street Partners, LLC, a private equity investment firm; Alerus Financial, a financial services company; Jamestown College; the United States Air Force Academy Endowment (chairman); the Falcon Foundation (vice president), which provides scholarships to Air Force Academy applicants; the Center for Innovation Foundation at the University of North Dakota (chairman and trustee) and the University of North Dakota Foundation; and is chairman and CEO of the Dakota Foundation. He is a past member of the board of directors of the National Venture Capital Association, Walden University, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission advisory committee on the regulation of capital markets.
		Mr. Holaday has a bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was a Rhodes Scholar, earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford University. He also earned a law degree from George Washington Law School and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. In 2005, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of North Dakota. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Holaday should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has significant operations in the natural gas and oil industry. Mr. Holaday has knowledge and experience in this industry. He founded and served as president of Tenax Oil and Gas Corporation. He has four years experience in senior management with Gulf Oil Corporation and 15 years of experience managing private equity investments, including investments in oil and gas, as the head of the Private Markets Group of UBS Asset Management and its predecessor organizations. This business experience demonstrates his leadership skills and success in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Holaday brings to the board his extensive finance and investment experience as well as his business development skills acquired through his work at UBS Asset Management, Tenax Oil and Gas Corporation, Gulf Oil Corporation, and several private equity investment firms. This will enhance the knowledge of the board and provide useful insights to management in connection not only with our natural gas and oil business, but with all of our businesses.

		Dennis W. Johnson Age 60		Director Since 2001 Audit Committee
		Mr. Johnson is chairman, chief executive officer and president of TMI Corporation, and chairman and chief executive officer of TMI Systems Design Corporation, TMI Transport Corporation and TMI Storage Systems Corporation, all of Dickinson, North Dakota, manufacturers of casework and architectural woodwork. He has been employed at TMI since 1974 serving as president or chief executive officer since 1982 and has been the majority stockholder since 1985. Mr. Johnson is serving his ninth year as president of the Dickinson City Commission. He previously was a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He is a past member and chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Mr. Johnson has a bachelor of science degree in electrical and electronics engineering as well as a master of science degree in industrial engineering from North Dakota State University. He has served on numerous industry, state, and community boards, including the North Dakota Workforce Development Council (chairperson), the Decorative Laminate Products Association, the North Dakota Technology Corporation, St. Joseph Hospital Life Care Foundation, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson State University, the executive operations committee of the University of Mary Harold Shafer Leadership Center, and the Dickinson United Way. He also served on North Dakota Governor Sinner’s Education Action Commission, the North Dakota Job Service Advisory Council, the North Dakota State University President’s Advisory Council, North Dakota Governor Schafer’s Transition Team, and chaired North Dakota Governor Hoeven’s Transition Team. He has received numerous awards including the 1991 Regional Small Business Person of the Year Award and the Greater North Dakotan Award.
		For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Johnson should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. Mr. Johnson has over 27 years of experience in business management, manufacturing, and finance, and has demonstrated his success in these areas, through his positions as chairman, president, and CEO of TMI, as well as through his prior service as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. His finance experience and leadership skills enable him to make valuable contributions to our audit committee, which he has chaired for six years. As a result of his service on a number of state and local organizations in North Dakota, Mr. Johnson has significant knowledge of local, state, and regional issues involving North Dakota, a state where we have significant operations and assets.

	2009			2008*
Audit Fees(a)	$	2,393,800		$	2,535,253
Audit-Related Fees(b)		52,292			78,511
Tax Fees(c)		17,600			33,653
All Other Fees(d)		130,016			0
Total Fees(e)	$	2,593,708		$	2,647,417
Ratio of Tax and All Other Fees to Audit and Audit-Related Fees		6.03	%		1.29	%

*	The 2008 amounts were adjusted from amounts shown in the 2009 proxy statement to reflect actual amounts.

(a)	Audit fees for both 2009 and 2008 consisted of services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements; reviews of our quarterly financial statements; comfort letters; statutory and regulatory audits and consents and other services related to Securities and Exchange Commission matters.

(b)	Audit-related fees for 2009 are associated with the audit of the Intermountain Gas Company’s benefit plans and accounting research assistance. Audit-related fees for 2008 are associated with accounting research assistance; consultation on accounting process improvements, including recommended practices and opportunities for control improvement; and assistance in the transition of benefit plan audits to another accounting firm.

(c)	Tax fees for 2009 include support services associated with the Cascade Natural Gas Corporation IRS audit. Tax fees for 2008 are associated with tax planning, compliance, and support services.

(d)	All other fees for 2009 are for services provided by Deloitte FAS, LLP in connection with the review of accounting practices and procedures at one of the company’s operating locations. No fees under the category of all other fees were incurred during 2008.

(e)	Total fees reported above include out-of-pocket expenses related to the services provided of $267,708 for 2009 and $269,618 for 2008.

x		No fee required
o		Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

	(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

	(3)		Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


1200 West Century Avenue	Terry D. Hildestad President and Chief Executive Officer

	By order of the Board of Directors,
	Paul K. Sandness Secretary

	Page
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Proxy Statement	1
Voting Information	1
Item 1. Election of Directors	3
Director Nominees	4
Item 2. Repeal of Article TWELFTH of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which Contains Provisions Relating to Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders, and Related Amendments to Articles THIRTEENTH and FOURTEENTH	12
Item 3. Repeal of Article FIFTEENTH of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which Contains Supermajority Vote Requirements for Amendments to Certain Articles of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation	14
Item 4. Repeal of Section (c) of Article THIRTEENTH of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which Provides that Directors may be Removed by Stockholders Only for Cause, and Technical Amendments to Section (a) of Article THIRTEENTH	15
Item 5. Ratification of Independent Auditors	16
Accounting and Auditing Matters	17
Item 6. Stockholder Proposal Requesting a Report on Coal Combustion Waste	18
Executive Compensation	20
Compensation Discussion and Analysis	20
Compensation Committee Report	38
Summary Compensation Table for 2009	39
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009	41
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2009	44
Option Exercises and Stock Vested during 2009	45
Pension Benefits for 2009	46
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2009	50
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control	51
Director Compensation for 2009	59
Information Concerning Executive Officers	61
Security Ownership	63
Related Person Transaction Disclosure	64
Corporate Governance	65
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance	71
Other Business	71
Shared Address Stockholders	71
2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders	72
Exhibit A – MDU Resources Group, Inc.’s Proposed Amendments to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation	A-1

		Thomas Everist Age 60		Director Since 1995 Compensation Committee
		Mr. Everist has served as president and chairman of The Everist Company, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, an aggregate, concrete, and asphalt production company, since April 15, 2002. He was previously president and chairman of L.G. Everist, Inc., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, an aggregate production company, from 1987 to April 15, 2002. He held a number of positions in the aggregate and construction industries prior to assuming his current position with The Everist Company. He is a director of Showplace Wood Products, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a custom cabinets manufacturer, and has been a director of Raven Industries, Inc., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a general manufacturer of electronics, flow controls, and engineered films since 1996, and its chairman of the board since April 1, 2009. Mr. Everist attended Stanford University where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in construction management. He is active in the Sioux Falls community and currently serves as a director on the Sanford Health Foundation, a non-profit charitable health services organization. From July 2001 to June 2006, he served on the South Dakota Investment Council, the state agency responsible for prudently investing state funds. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Everist should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. A significant portion of MDU Resources Group, Inc.’s earnings is derived from its construction services and aggregate mining businesses. Mr. Everist has considerable business experience in this area, with more than 36 years in the aggregate and construction materials industry. He has also demonstrated success in his business and leadership skills, serving as president and chairman of his companies for over 22 years. We value other public company board service. Mr. Everist has experience serving as a director and now chairman of another public company, which enhances his contributions to our board. His leadership skills and experience with his own companies and on other boards enable him to be an effective board member and compensation committee chairman. With the retirement of John L. Olson and Sister Thomas Welder, Mr. Everist becomes our longest serving board member, providing 15 years of board experience as well as extensive knowledge of our business.

		Karen B. Fagg Age 56		Director Since 2005 Nominating and Governance Committee Compensation Committee
		Ms. Fagg has served as vice president of DOWL LLC, d/b/a DOWL HKM, an engineering and design firm, since April 2008. Ms. Fagg was president from April 1, 1995 through March 2008, and chairman and majority owner from June 2000 through March 2008 of HKM Engineering, Inc., Billings, Montana, an engineering and physical science services firm. HKM Engineering, Inc. merged with DOWL LLC on April 1, 2008. Ms. Fagg was employed with MSE, Inc., Butte, Montana, an energy research and development company, from 1976 through 1988 and served as vice president of operations and corporate development director. Ms. Fagg served a four-year term as director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, Montana, the state agency charged with promoting stewardship of Montana’s water, soil, energy, and rangeland resources; regulating oil and gas exploration and production; and administering several grant and loan programs from 1989 through 1992. Ms. Fagg has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. She served on the board for St. Vincent’s Healthcare from October 2003 until October 2009, including a term as board chair and on the board of Deaconess Billings Clinic Health System from 1994 to 2003. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, the Board of Advisors of the Charles M. Bair Family Trust, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Billings Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Montana State University Engineering Advisory Council, whose responsibilities include evaluating the mission and goals of the College of Engineering and assisting in the development and implementation of the college’s strategic plan. From 2002 through 2006, she served on the Montana Board of Investments, the state agency responsible for prudently investing state funds. From 2001 to 2005, she served on the board of Montana State University’s Advanced Technology Park. From 2000 to 2007, she served on the ZooMontana Board and as vice chair from 2006 to 2007.

		Terry D. Hildestad Age 60		Director Since 2006 President and Chief Executive Officer
		Mr. Hildestad was elected president and chief executive officer and a director of the company effective August 17, 2006. He had served as president and chief operating officer from May 1, 2005 until August 17, 2006. Prior to that, he served as president and chief executive officer of our subsidiary, Knife River Corporation, from 1993 until May 1, 2005. He began his career with the company in 1974 at Knife River, where he served in several operating positions before becoming its president. He additionally serves as an executive officer and as chairman of the company’s principal subsidiaries and of the managing committees of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. Mr. Hildestad has a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard School of Business. Mr. Hildestad is a member of the U.S. Bancorp Western North Dakota Advisory Board of Directors. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Hildestad should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. As chief executive officer of MDU Resources Group, Inc., Mr. Hildestad is the only officer of the company to sit on our board, consistent with our past practice. With over 35 years of experience at our company, Mr. Hildestad has a deep knowledge and understanding of MDU Resources Group, Inc., its operating companies and its lines of business. Mr. Hildestad has demonstrated his leadership abilities and his commitment to our company since he was elected president and chief executive officer and a director in 2006 and prior to that time through his long service as chief operating officer of the company and as president and chief executive officer at Knife River, our construction materials and contracting subsidiary. The board also believes that Mr. Hildestad’s integrity, values, and good judgment make him well-suited to serve on our board.

	(1)		Amount Previously Paid:

	(3)		Filing Party:

	Sincerely yours,

	Terry D. Hildestad

		Thomas C. Knudson Age 63		Director Since 2008 Compensation Committee
		Mr. Knudson has been president of Tom Knudson Interests, LLC, since its formation on January 14, 2004. Tom Knudson Interests, LLC, provides consulting services in energy, sustainable development, and leadership. Mr. Knudson began employment with Conoco Oil Company (Conoco) in May 1975 and retired in 2004 from Conoco’s successor, ConocoPhillips, as senior vice president of human resources, government affairs and communications, and information technology. Mr. Knudson served as a member of ConocoPhillips’ management committee. His diverse career at Conoco and ConocoPhillips included engineering, operations, business development, and commercial assignments. He was the founding chairman of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He has been a director of Bristow Group Inc. since June 2004 and its chairman of the board of directors since August 2006, and was a director of Natco Group Inc. from April 2005 to November 2009 and Williams Partners LP from November 2005 to September 2007. Bristow Group Inc. is a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore oil industry. Natco Group Inc. is a leading manufacturer of oil and gas processing equipment. Williams Partners LP owns natural gas gathering, transportation, processing, and treating assets, and also has natural gas liquids fractionating and storage assets. Mr. Knudson has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He served as a naval aviator, flying combat missions in Vietnam, and was a lieutenant commander in 1974 when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Knudson has served on the boards of a number of petroleum industry associations, Covenant House Texas, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Alpha USA/Houston. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Jones Graduate School of Management at Rice University. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Knudson should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. A significant portion of our earnings is derived from natural gas and oil production and the transportation, storage, and gathering of natural gas. Mr. Knudson has extensive knowledge and experience in this industry as a result of his prior employment with Conoco, as well as through his service on the boards of Natco Group, Inc. and Williams Partners LP. Mr. Knudson has a broad background in engineering, operations, and business development, as well as service on the management committee at Conoco and ConocoPhillips, which bring additional experience and perspective to our board. His service as senior vice president of human resources at ConocoPhillips makes him an excellent fit for our compensation committee. Sustainable business development is also an important aspect of our business, and Mr. Knudson, as the founding chairman of the Business Council for Sustainable Development, brings to our board significant experience and knowledge in this area. Mr. Knudson also has significant knowledge of local, state, and regional issues involving Texas, a state where we have important operations and assets.

		Richard H. Lewis Age 60		Director Since 2005 Audit Committee Nominating and Governance Committee
		Mr. Lewis has been the managing general partner of Brakemaka LLLP, a private investment partnership for managing family investments, and president of the Lewis Family Foundation since August 2004. Mr. Lewis serves as chairman of the board of Entre Pure Industries, Inc., a privately held company involved in the purified water and ice business. He serves as a director of Colorado State Bank and Trust and on the senior advisory board of TPH Partners, L.P., a private equity fund with an energy-only focus. Mr. Lewis founded Prima Energy Corporation, a natural gas and oil exploration and production company in 1980, and served as chairman and chief executive officer of the company until its sale in July 2004. During his tenure, Prima Energy was named to Forbes Magazine’s 200 Best Small Companies in America list seven times and was ranked the No. 1 Colorado public company for the decade of the 1990’s in terms of market return. Mr. Lewis represented natural gas producers on a panel that studied electric restructuring in Colorado and has testified before Congressional committees on industry matters. He worked in private practice as a certified public accountant for eight years prior to founding Prima Energy. Mr. Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Colorado. He served as a board member on the Colorado Oil and Gas Association from November 1999 to November 2009, including a term as its president. In 2000, Mr. Lewis was inducted into the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame and in 2004 was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Hall of Fame. Mr. Lewis serves as the chairman of the Development Board of Colorado Uplift, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Alliance for Choice in Education, which provides scholarships to inner city youth. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Metro Denver YMCA, the Advisory Council to the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, and as a director for the Partnership for the West. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Lewis should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. MDU Resources Group, Inc. derives a significant portion of its earnings from natural gas and oil production, one of our business segments. Mr. Lewis has extensive business experience, recognized excellence, and demonstrated success in this industry through almost 25 years at his company, Prima Energy Corporation, and ten years on the board of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. In addition to his industry experience, he brings investment experience to our board through his service on the senior advisory board of an energy-only private equity fund. As a certified public accountant and a director of Colorado State Bank and Trust, Mr. Lewis also contributes significant finance and accounting knowledge to our board and audit committee. Mr. Lewis also brings to the board his knowledge of local, state, and regional issues involving Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, where we have important operations.

		Patricia L. Moss Age 56		Director Since 2003 Compensation Committee
		Ms. Moss has served as the president and chief executive officer of Cascade Bancorp, a financial holding company in Bend, Oregon, since 1998, chief executive officer of Cascade Bancorp’s principal subsidiary, Bank of the Cascades, since 1993, serving also as president from 1993 to 2003, and a director of Cascade Bancorp since 1993. She also serves as a director of the Oregon Investment Fund Advisory Council, a state-sponsored program to encourage the growth of small businesses within Oregon, and a director of Clear Choice Health Plans Inc., a multi-state insurance company. Ms. Moss graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Linfield College in Oregon and did master’s studies at Portland State University. She received commercial banking school certification at the ABA Commercial Banking School at the University of Oklahoma. She served as a director of the Oregon Business Council, whose mission is to mobilize business leaders to contribute to Oregon’s quality of life and economic prosperity; the Cascades Campus Advisory Board of the Oregon State University; the North Pacific Group, Inc., a wholesale distributor of building materials, industrial and hardwood products, and other specialty products; the Aquila Tax Free Trust of Oregon, a mutual fund created especially for the benefit of Oregon residents; and as a director and chair of the St. Charles Medical Center. In August 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Oregon Division of Finance and Corporate Securities entered into a consent agreement with Bank of the Cascades that requires the bank to develop and adopt a plan to maintain the capital necessary for it to be “well-capitalized,” to improve its lending policies and its allowance for loan losses, to increase its liquidity, to retain qualified management, and to increase the participation of its board of directors in the affairs of the bank. In October 2009, the bank’s parent, Cascade Bancorp, entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Oregon Division relating largely to improving the financial condition of Cascade Bancorp and the bank. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Ms. Moss should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. A significant portion of MDU Resources Group, Inc.’s utility, construction services, and contracting operations are located in the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Moss has first-hand business experience and knowledge of the Pacific Northwest economy and local, state, and regional issues through her position as president, chief executive officer, and a director at Cascade Bancorp and Bank of the Cascades, where she has over 28 years of experience. Ms. Moss provides to our board her experience in finance and banking as well as her experience in business development through her work at Cascade Bancorp and on the Oregon Investment Advisory Council and the Oregon Business Council. Ms. Moss is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, which makes her well-suited for our compensation committee. In deciding that Ms. Moss should be renominated as a director, the board was mindful of the consent agreement with Bank of the Cascades, but concluded that Ms. Moss brought the many skills and experiences discussed above to our board and had proved herself to be a dedicated and hard-working director.

		Harry J. Pearce Age 67		Director Since 1997 Chairman of the Board
		Mr. Pearce was elected chairman of the board of the company on August 17, 2006. Prior to that, he served as lead director effective February 15, 2001 and was vice chairman of the board from November 16, 2000 until February 15, 2001. Mr. Pearce has been a director of Marriott International, Inc., a major hotel chain, since 1995. He was a director of Nortel Networks Corporation, a global telecommunications company, from January 11, 2005 to August 10, 2009, serving as chairman of the board from June 29, 2005. He retired on December 19, 2003, as chairman of Hughes Electronics Corporation, a General Motors Corporation subsidiary and provider of digital television entertainment, broadband satellite network, and global video and data broadcasting. He had served as chairman since June 1, 2001. Mr. Pearce was vice chairman and a director of General Motors Corporation, one of the world’s largest automakers, from January 1, 1996 to May 31, 2001. He served on the President’s Council on Sustainable Development and co-chaired the President’s Commission on the United States Postal Service. Prior to joining General Motors, he was a senior partner in the Pearce & Durick law firm in Bismarck, ND. Mr. Pearce is a director of the United States Air Force Academy Endowment, and a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Michigan Cancer Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the International Society of Barristers. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University. He has served as a chairman or director on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including as chairman of the board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy, chairman of the National Defense University Foundation, and chairman of the Marrow Foundation. He currently serves as a director of the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link and New York Marrow Foundation. Mr. Pearce received a bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy and his law degree from Northwestern University’s School of Law. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Pearce should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. MDU Resources Group, Inc. values public company leadership and the experience directors gain through such leadership. Mr. Pearce is recognized nationally as well as in the State of North Dakota as a business leader and for his business acumen. He has multinational business management experience and proven leadership skills through his position as vice chairman at General Motors, as well as through his extensive service on the boards of large public companies, including Marriott International; Hughes Electronics, where he was chairman; and Nortel Networks, where he also was chairman. He also brings to our board his long experience as a practicing attorney. In addition, Mr. Pearce is focused on corporate governance issues and is the founding chair of the Chairmen’s Forum, an organization comprised of non-executive chairmen of publicly-traded companies. Participants in the Chairmen’s Forum discuss ways to enhance the accountability of corporations to owners and promote a deeper understanding of independent board leadership and effective practices of board chairmanship. The board also believes that Mr. Pearce’s values and commitment to excellence make him well-suited to serve as chairman of our board.

		John K. Wilson Age 55		Director Since 2003 Audit Committee
		Mr. Wilson was president of Durham Resources, LLC, a privately held financial management company, in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1994 to December 31, 2008. He previously was president of Great Plains Energy Corp., a public utility holding company and an affiliate of Durham Resources, LLC, from 1994 to July 1, 2000. He was vice president of Great Plains Natural Gas Co., an affiliate company of Durham Resources, LLC, until July 1, 2000. The company bought Great Plains Energy Corp. and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. on July 1, 2000. Mr. Wilson also served as president of the Durham Foundation and was a director of Bridges Investment Fund, a mutual fund, and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He is presently a director of HDR, Inc., an international architecture and engineering firm based in Omaha, and serves on the advisory boards of US Bank NA Omaha and Duncan Aviation, an aircraft service provider, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also serves as deputy director of the Robert B. Daugherty Charitable Foundation. Mr. Wilson is a certified public accountant. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration, cum laude, from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. During his career, he was a member of the audit staff and an audit manager at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell (now known as KPMG), controller for Great Plains Natural Gas Co., and chief financial officer and treasurer for all Durham Resources entities. For the following reasons, the board concluded that Mr. Wilson should serve as a director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., in light of our business and structure, at the time we file our proxy statement. Mr. Wilson has an extensive background in finance and accounting as well as extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions through his education and work experience at a major accounting firm and his later positions as controller and vice president of Great Plains Natural Gas Co.; president of Great Plains Energy Corp.; and president, chief financial officer, and treasurer for Durham Resources, LLC and all Durham Resources entities. The electric and natural gas utility business was our core business when our company was founded in 1924. That business now operates through four utilities: Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., Great Plains Natural Gas Co., Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, and Intermountain Gas Company. Mr. Wilson is our only non-employee director with direct experience in this area through his prior positions at Great Plains Natural Gas Co. and Great Plains Energy. In addition, Mr. Wilson’s extensive finance and accounting experience make him well-suited for our audit committee.

	•	organic growth as well as a continued disciplined approach to the acquisition of well-managed companies and properties
	•	the elimination of system-wide cost redundancies through increased focus on integration of operations and standardization and consolidation of various support services and functions across companies within the organization and
	•	the development of projects that are accretive to earnings per share and return on invested capital.

	•	recruit, motivate, reward, and retain the high performing executive talent required to create superior long-term total stockholder return in comparison to our peer group
	•	reward executives for short-term performance as well as the growth in enterprise value over the long-term
	•	provide a competitive package relative to industry-specific and general industry comparisons and internal equity, as appropriate, and
	•	ensure effective utilization and development of talent by working in concert with other management processes – for example, performance appraisal, succession planning, and management development.

	•	base salaries in order to provide executive officers with sufficient, regularly-paid income and attract, recruit, and retain executives with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully execute their job duties and responsibilities
	•	annual incentives in order to be competitive from a total remuneration standpoint and ensure focus on annual financial and operating results and
	•	long-term incentives in order to be competitive from a total remuneration standpoint and ensure focus on stockholder return.

	•	our named executive officers are in positions to drive, and therefore bear high levels of responsibility for, our corporate performance
	•	incentive compensation is more variable than base salary and dependent upon our performance
	•	variable compensation helps ensure focus on the goals that are aligned with our overall strategy and
	•	the interests of our named executive officers will be aligned with those of our stockholders by making a majority of the named executive officers’ target compensation contingent upon results that are beneficial to stockholders.

	% of Total Target Compensation Allocated to Base Salary (%)		% of Total Target Compensation Allocated to Incentives
Name	% of Total Target Compensation Allocated to Base Salary (%)		Annual (%)		Long-Term (%)		Annual + Long-Term (%)
Terry D. Hildestad		28.6		28.6		42.8		71.4
Vernon A. Raile		39.2		25.5		35.3		60.8
John G. Harp *		39.2		25.5		35.3		60.8
William E. Schneider		39.2		25.5		35.3		60.8
Steven L. Bietz		39.2		25.5		35.3		60.8

Survey*	Number of Companies Participating (#)		Median Number of Employees (#)			Number of Publicly- Traded Companies (#)(1)			Median Revenue (000s) ($)
Towers Perrin’s Executive Compensation Database		395		18,529			283			5,730,000
Towers Perrin’s Energy Services Industry Executive Compensation Database		91		3,300			63			2,960,000
Effective Compensation, Inc.’s Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Survey		119		140			69			247,000
Mercer’s Energy Compensation Survey		217		610			173			774,172
Watson Wyatt’s Report on Top Management Compensation		2,309		(2	)		(2	)		(2	)

(1)	For the Towers Perrin Executive Compensation Database, the number listed in the table is the number of companies reporting market capitalization. For the Towers Perrin Energy Services Industry Executive Compensation Database, the number listed in the table is the number of companies reporting three-year stockholder return.

(2)	The 2,309 organizations participating in the 2007/2008 Watson Wyatt Report included 368 organizations with 2,000 to 4,999 employees; 298 organizations with 5,000 to 9,999 employees; 309 organizations with 10,000 to 19,999 employees; and 372 organizations with 20,000 or more employees. Watson Wyatt did not provide a revenue breakdown or the number of publicly-traded companies participating in its survey. Towers Perrin utilized the 2007/2008 survey and aged the data to January 1, 2009.

	•	base salary grades and individual salaries
	•	annual and long-term incentive targets and
	•	increases in the level of the SISP benefits to current participants.

	•	working with the outside compensation consultants and the chief executive officer on the determination of recommended salary grades, which have associated annual base salary ranges and incentive targets
	•	reviewing recommended salary increases and incentive targets submitted by executive officers for officers reporting to them for reasonableness and alignment with company or business unit objectives and to help ensure internal equity and
	•	designing and updating annual and long-term incentive programs.

	•	participation on our management policy committee, which is the entity responsible for setting corporate-wide operating and management policies and procedures as well as our strategic direction
	•	the position’s responsibilities relative to our total earnings, use of invested capital, and the stable generation of earnings and cash flow and
	•	the position’s impact on key strategic initiatives.

			2009 Base Salary (000s)
Position	Grade	Name		Minimum ($)	Midpoint ($)	Maximum ($)
President and CEO	K	Terry D. Hildestad		620	775	930
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO	J	Vernon A. Raile		312	390	468
President and CEO, MDU Construction Services Group, Inc.	J	John G. Harp		312	390	468
President and CEO, Knife River Corporation	J	William E. Schneider		312	390	468
President and CEO, WBI Holdings, Inc.	J	Steven L. Bietz		312	390	468

	•	our performance on financial measurements as compared to our performance graph peer group
	•	executive’s performance on financial goals
	•	executive’s performance on non-financial goals, including the results of the performance assessment program
	•	executive’s experience, tenure, and future potential
	•	position’s relative value compared to other positions within the company
	•	relationship of the salary to the competitive salary market value
	•	internal equity with other executives and
	•	economic environment of the corporation or executive’s business unit.

	•	the company’s 2008 forecasted financial results (based on 9 months’ actual plus 3 months’ estimate) on earnings per share (EPS) and return on invested capital (ROIC) were higher than 2008 targets by 12.4% and 6.6%, respectively
	•	the company’s ROIC for the twelve months ended June 30, 2008 was 19.1% higher than the median ROIC for the performance graph peer companies over the same time period on a continuing operations basis
	•	the board recognized Mr. Hildestad’s strong leadership during difficult economic times, as well as fostering a culture of integrity throughout the organization, and
	•	moving Mr. Hildestad’s salary closer to the 2009 salary grade midpoint of $775,000.

	•	the company’s 2008 forecasted financial results (based on 9 months’ actual plus 3 months’ estimate) on EPS and ROIC were higher than 2008 targets by 12.4% and 6.6%, respectively
	•	the company’s ROIC for the twelve months ended June 30, 2008 was 19.1% higher than the median ROIC for the performance graph peer companies over the same time period on a continuing operations basis, and
	•	key financing initiatives that were undertaken and Mr. Raile’s experience and skill.

	•	MDU Construction Services Group, Inc.’s ROIC for the twelve months ended June 30, 2008 was 115.9% higher than the median ROIC of construction services companies in our performance graph peer group, and
	•	Mr. Harp’s strong grasp of all aspects of MDU Construction Services Group, Inc.’s business, including operations, collections, bidding, and personnel.