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EXHIBIT 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with Amendment No. 2 to the Quarterly Report of NorthWestern Corporation (the "Company") on Form10-Q/A for the period ended September 30, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gary G. Drook, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section13(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 result of operations of the Company.

/s/  GARY G. DROOK Chief Executive Officer

April 15, 2003 A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to NorthWestern Corporation and will be retained by NorthWestern Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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EXHIBIT 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002