Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of NorthWestern Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brian B. Bird, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

October 24, 2012	/s/ BRIAN B. BIRD
	Brian B. Bird
	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer