MONTANA POWER CO /MT/
10-K, 1994-03-29
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K
______________________________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
(X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934                                                 (FEE REQUIRED)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993
                                     -OR-
(  )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934                                   (NO FEE REQUIRED)

For the transition period from ______________ to _______________.

Commission file number 1-4566

                           THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  Montana                             81-0170530
        (State or other jurisdiction               (IRS Employer
      of incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)

      40 East Broadway, Butte, Montana                59701-9989
      (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code (406) 723-5421

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                 Name of each exchange
          Title of each Class                     on which registered  
            Common Stock                        New York Stock Exchange
                                                Pacific Stock Exchange

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                Preferred Stock
                               (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                Yes  X  No    

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant was $1,494,286,939 at March 17, 1994.  

On March 17, 1994, the Company had 52,830,346 shares of common stock
outstanding.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement,
    pages 2-20, is incorporated into Part III of this report.  

<PAGE>
                                    PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS  

      GENERAL - INDUSTRY SEGMENTS:  The Montana Power Company (the Company)
and its subsidiaries conduct a number of diversified, but related businesses. 
The Company's principal business, which is conducted through its Utility
Division, includes regulated utility operations involving the generation,
purchase, transmission and distribution of electricity and the production,
purchase, transportation and distribution of natural gas.  The Company,
through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Entech, Inc. (Entech), engages in
nonutility operations principally involving the mining and sale of coal and
exploration for, and the development, production, processing and sale of oil
and natural gas.  The Company, through its Independent Power Group (IPG)
manages long-term power sales, invests in cogeneration projects, and provides
energy-related support services, including the operation and maintenance of
power plants.  See Item 8, Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for further information.  A group of officers and employees of the Company
constitute the Office of the Corporation.  The Office of the Corporation
provides strategic direction and policy, approves the allocation of capital
and provides financial, legal and other services to all of the operating
units.  The Company was incorporated in 1961 under the laws of the State of
Montana, where its principal business is conducted, as the successor to a New
Jersey corporation incorporated in 1912.  

UTILITY DIVISION:

      SERVICE AREA AND SALES:  The Utility Division's service area comprises
107,600 square miles or approximately 73% of Montana.  Its estimated 1993
population was 723,000 or 90% of the total population of the State.  Dominant
factors in Montana's diversified economy are agriculture and livestock, which
constitute Montana's largest industry, tourism and year-round recreation, coal
and metals mining, oil and gas production, and the forest products industry
which embraces the production of pulp and paper, plywood and lumber.  

      Electric service is provided to 186 communities, the rural areas
surrounding them and Yellowstone National Park, and natural gas service is
provided to 105 communities.  Firm electric power is sold at wholesale to two
rural electric cooperatives.  Natural gas is sold at wholesale or transported
to distribution companies in Great Falls, Cut Bank, Shelby, Kevin, Sweetgrass
and Sunburst, Montana.  

      The Company's residential and commercial business is substantially free
from direct competition with other utilities.  The Utility Division is subject
to, in certain circumstances, increased competition with self-generation for
large industrial loads and with other energy suppliers for large wholesale
loads.  Because of the absence of competing transmission pipelines in its
natural gas service territory, the Utility Division is less subject to bypass
by its large industrial and wholesale natural gas customers with respect to
wholesale or transportation service.  

      Weather is a factor which can significantly affect electric and natural
gas revenues.  The Company's sales generally increase as a result of colder
weather with customer demand peaking during the winter months.  

      REGULATION AND RATES:  The Company's public utility business in Montana
is subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission of
Montana (PSC).  The PSC has jurisdiction over the issuance of securities by
the Company. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) also has
jurisdiction over the Company, under the Federal Power Act, as a licensee of
hydroelectric projects and as a public utility engaged in interstate commerce. 
The importation of natural gas from Canada requires approval by the Alberta
Energy Resources Conservation Board, the National Energy Board of Canada and
the United States Department of Energy.  

      On June 21, 1993, the Company filed and has since updated general rate
increase requests of $30,900,000 annually for electricity and $9,600,000
annually for natural gas based upon a 12.25% return on common equity.  Lower 
interest costs from refinancings will reduce the combined amounts by
approximately $3,000,000.  A 1% change in the return allowed on common equity
would result in a change of approximately $7,000,000 in annual electric
revenues and a change of approximately $1,800,000 in annual natural gas
revenues.  This rate case was filed pursuant to the optional filing rules
adopted by the PSC in February 1992.  The optional rules improve the matching
of test year expenses and costs with the time rates are in effect.  The
optional rules, as interpreted by the Company, increase the revenue request by
$5,700,000 for the electric utility and $1,000,000 for the gas utility. 
Effective October 18, 1993, the PSC approved interim annual increases of
$8,800,000 in electric revenues and $4,000,000 for natural gas revenues.  A
final decision on the Company's requests is expected in late April.  

      In August 1993, the Company filed an Allocated Cost of Service/Rate
Design Application with the PSC which reevaluates the costs and rates for
providing electric service to retail customers.  Although the Company's total
revenue requirement would remain the same, the amount of revenue collected
from each customer class would change.  Under the Company's proposal, the
share of total revenue collected from the residential and commercial customer
classes would increase by 1% and 8%, respectively, while the share of total
revenue collected from the industrial class would decrease by 10%.  A final
decision in this docket is expected in May 1994.  

      The PSC, in 1991, approved the unbundling of natural gas services, 
authorized open access on the Company's transmission and distribution system,
and approved a three-year transition period for customer conversions.  On
September 1, 1993, natural gas rates for core residential, commercial and
other full service customers were increased $2,954,000 for the last of three
annual increases to recover costs that had previously been allocated to
noncore customers.  This rate change did not affect the Company's earnings.  

      ELECTRIC OPERATIONS:  The maximum demand on the Company's resources in
1993 was 1,445,000 kW on January 11, 1993.  Total firm capability of the
Company's electric system for 1993 was 1,601,000 kW.  Of this capability,
1,186,000 kW was provided by the Company's generating facilities, and
415,000 kW was provided by firm long-term power purchases and exchange
arrangements.  The Company's 1993 reserve margin, as a percentage of maximum
demand, was 11%.  Planned increases in peak capability are expected to be met
with a combination of resources including upgrades to hydroelectric and
thermal facilities and both short and long-term purchase contracts.  New
electric capacity will be required in the late 1990s to meet load growth and
the expiration of two power purchase contracts totalling approximately
150 megawatts.  Pursuant to a Request for Proposal, a variety of projects,
including some proposed by the Company are being evaluated under least cost
planning process.  To date, the bid resources that have been acquired include
the extension to 2003 of an existing 50,000 kW exchange contract with the
Idaho Power Company, the purchase of a 15 year 98,000 kW winter season power
purchase starting in November 1996 from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and
construction has commenced on a 41,000 kW upgrade to MPC's hydroelectric
facility at Thompson Falls.  In addition, the Company is continuing to
decrease energy and peak demand by investing in demand-side management
programs.  

<PAGE>
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS (Continued)

      During the year ended December 31, 1993, the sources of the Utility
Division electric generation were:  hydro, 32%; coal, 40%; and purchased
power, 28%.  Improved stream flows in 1993 provided 27% more low-cost
hydroelectric generation than in 1992.  Extended plant outages at the Colstrip
plants mostly offset the increased hydrogeneration.  The cost of coal burned
has been as follows:

                                                  Year Ended December 31  
                                                  1993     1992     1991  

     Average cost per million Btu's. . . . . .   $ 0.65   $ 0.65   $ 0.66 
     Average cost per ton (delivered). . . . .    11.16    11.30    11.39 


      NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS:  Natural gas supply requirements in 1993 totaled
22,617 Mmcf, of which 14,680 Mmcf were from Montana and 7,937 Mmcf from
Canada.  The Company produced 42% of the Montana natural gas.  Its Canadian
subsidiaries produced 71% of the Canadian natural gas.  

      The Company implemented open access gas transportation on November 1,
1991.  As of that date, fifteen large industrial customers and one utility
customer of the Gas Utility were allowed to acquire a portion of their gas
supply requirements directly from gas suppliers.  The Gas Utility transports
these gas supplies for these customers.  As of September 1993, these customers
were able to acquire 100% of their gas supplies directly from other suppliers. 
The total volumes of natural gas transported during 1993 were 17,900 Mmcf.  As
a result, the Gas Utility's gas supply requirements declined through 1993 as
noncore customers increasingly acquired their own supplies directly.

      Total 1994 natural gas requirements, estimated to be 21,046 Mmcf, are
anticipated to be supplied from existing reserves and purchase contracts. 
Approximately 14,433 Mmcf of these requirements are expected to be obtained in
the United States and 6,613 Mmcf from Canada.  The Company expects to produce
40% of the Montana natural gas.  Its Canadian subsidiaries are expected to
produce 64% of the Canadian natural gas.  The 1994 transportation volumes are
anticipated to be 23,500 Mmcf.  

      Exportation of natural gas from Canada is controlled by the Canadian
provincial and federal governments.  The Company has a long-term export
license which entitles it to export up to 10,000 Mmcf, after losses, annually
through October 2006.  

ENTECH:

      GENERAL: Entech conducts its businesses through various subsidiaries,
all of which, with immaterial exceptions, are wholly-owned.  It also owns a
passive  investment in a gold mine in Brazil.  Its coal and lignite business
is conducted through several subsidiaries.  Western Energy Company (Western)
holds leases and rights on coal properties in Montana and Wyoming and operates
the Rosebud Mine.  Western's subsidiary, Western SynCoal Company (SynCoal),
and a subsidiary of Northern States Power, each own 50 percent of a patented
coal enhancement process and 50 percent of the Rosebud SynCoal Partnership. 
The Partnership owns and operates a coal enchancement process demonstration
plant at the Rosebud Mine.  Northwestern Resources Company (Northwestern)
holds leases on coal and lignite properties in Texas and Wyoming and operates
the Jewett Mine.  Basin Resources, Inc. (Basin) operates the Golden Eagle
Mine, and North Central Energy Company (North Central) owns and holds leases
on coal properties in Colorado.  Horizon Coal Services, Inc. (Horizon) markets
coal and lignite, and holds leases and rights on lignite properties in
Montana, Texas and Alabama.  Approximately 93 percent of total annual coal and
lignite production is sold under long-term contracts.  Entech's oil and
natural gas business is conducted in the United States through North American
Resources Company and in Canada through both Altana Exploration Company and
Roan Resources, Ltd.  Entech's other businesses are conducted by various
subsidiaries, none of which is a significant subsidiary. 

      COAL OPERATIONS:  Western's Rosebud Mine is at Colstrip, Montana, in the
northern Powder River Basin, where coal is surface-mined and, after crushing,
sold without further preparation, principally for use by electric utilities in
steam-electric generating plants.  Western's principal customers from this
mine are the owners of the four mine-mouth Colstrip units and the Company's
Corette Plant located at Billings, Montana.  These customers purchased
approximately 70 percent of the 1993 production.  Most of the remainder of
Rosebud coal is sold to customers located in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota
and Wisconsin.  

      During 1993, Western mined and sold 12,190,651 tons, of which
3,629,994 tons were sold to the Company.  Western's Colstrip production is
estimated to be 13,000,000 tons in 1994 and 12,000,000 tons in 1995.  

      Western has experienced competition from southern Powder River Basin
producers, primarily those in Wyoming, for its Midwestern coal sales, which
represent approximately 26% of total sales.  While Western has a per-ton rail
rate advantage to some of the upper Midwest markets, Wyoming producers
generally experience lower stripping ratios, royalty amount and production
taxes.  In addition, Western produces coal containing higher, noncompliance
levels of sulfur than southern Powder River Basin Mines.  

      Northwestern's Jewett Mine is located in central Texas about midway
between Dallas and Houston.  Northwestern supplies lignite under a long-term
contract to the two electric generating units, located adjacent to the mine,
that are owned by Houston Lighting and Power Company.  Total deliveries during
1993 were 7,907,585 tons.  The estimated production for 1994 and 1995 is
7,900,000 and 7,700,000 tons, respectively.  

      Basin's underground Golden Eagle Mine is located in southern Colorado
near Trinidad.  The coal is processed through an on-site wash plant to reduce
the ash content.  Total deliveries from the mine, which has a capacity to
produce 2,200,000 tons, were 596,700 tons during 1993.  Basin has entered into
a long-term contract to supply up to 1,200,000 tons annually starting July
1994.  Basin has several short-term contracts to supply industrial and utility
customers.  Basin is also selling coal for test burns by potential customers. 
Estimated production for 1994 and 1995 is 1,600,000 and 2,000,000 tons,
respectively.  Entech anticipates an increase in demand for Basin's compliance
coal due to the provisions of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.   

      OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS:  Entech's producing oil and natural gas
properties are principally located in the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas,
Oklahoma and Montana, and the Province of Alberta, Canada.  

      An Entech Oil Division subsidiary has entered into agreements to supply
174 Bcf of natural gas to four cogeneration facilities over periods of 11 to
15 years.  Entech has sufficient proven, developed and undeveloped reserves,
and controls related sales of production sufficient to supply all of the
natural gas required by those agreements. For information on another
subsidiary's participation in an investment in these cogeneration projects,
See Item 1 "Independent Power Group."  

      Natural gas production in both the United States and Canada is currently
sold pursuant to short-term, spot market and long-term contracts.  In Canada,
approximately 28 Bcf of the Company's natural gas reserves are dedicated to
long-term contracts expiring at various times through 2005.  

      Through its subsidiary Entech Altamont, Inc., Entech owns a minority
interest in a joint venture to construct the proposed Altamont pipeline. 
Altamont has received FERC approval to construct a 620 mile pipeline running
from the Alberta-Montana border to the Opal area in southwest Wyoming.  The
decision to proceed with the construction of this pipeline will depend upon
obtaining the necessary regulatory approval and shipper commitments.   

<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT POWER GROUP:

      GENERAL:  The Independent Power Group (IPG) manages sales of the
Company's 210 megawatt share of Colstrip Unit 4 generation to the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power and to Puget Sound Power and Light Company under
contracts which are coextensive with the Company's leasehold interest in the
Unit.  

      The IPG also manages the Company's investment in five operating, natural
gas fired, cogeneration projects located in Texas, New York and the United
Kingdom, one cogeneration project under construction in Washington, and three
projects under development in Washington, Texas and China.   

      The Company's subsidiary, North American Energy Services Company (North
American), which is included in the IPG, provides energy-related support
services including the operation and maintenance of power plants for private
power generating companies and provides maintenance services for power plants
owned and operated by electric utilities.  

ENVIRONMENT:  

      The information required in this section is contained in Item 7,
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" under "Environmental Issues."  

EMPLOYEES:

      At December 31, 1993, the Company and its subsidiaries employed
4,089 persons of which 2,364 were utility and Office of the Corporation
employees (including 613 employees at the jointly owned Colstrip Units 1-4),
400 Independent Power Group employees and 1,325 Entech employees.  

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS:  

      See Item 2, "Utility Natural Gas Properties," for information on the
Company's Canadian and domestic utility natural gas properties.  See Item 2,
"Entech Oil and Natural Gas Properties" for information on Entech's Canadian
and domestic oil and natural gas properties.  

<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:

      In 1992, D. T. Berube, 60, was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer.  He served as President and Chief Operating Officer,
Entech, Inc., 1988-1991.  

      In 1991, J. P. Pederson, 51, was elected Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.  He served as Controller - Utility Division 1984-1990
and Vice President Corporate Finance 1990-1991.  

      In 1993, P. K. Merrell, 41, was elected Vice President and Secretary. 
She served as Staff Attorney 1981-1992, Assistant Secretary 1991-1992, and
Secretary 1992-1993.  

      In 1991, M. E. Zimmerman, 45, was elected Vice President and General
Counsel.  He served as Staff Attorney 1986-1989 and General Counsel from 1989-
1991.  

      In 1990, R. P. Gannon, 49, was elected President and Chief Operating
Officer - Utility Division.  He served as Vice President and General Counsel
1984-1989.  

      In 1993, A. K. Neill, 56, was elected Executive Vice President -
Generation and Transmission.  He had previously served as Executive Vice
President - Utility Services since 1987.  

      In 1993, J. D. Haffey, 48, was elected Vice President - Administration
and Regulatory Affairs.  He had previously served as Vice President -
Regulatory Affairs for the Utility Division since 1987.  

      In 1993, D. A. Johnson, 48, was elected Vice President - Utility
Services.  He had previously served as Vice President - Gas Supply and
Transportation for the Utility Division since 1984.  

      In 1993, C. D. Regan, 57, was elected Vice President - Natural Gas
Supply and Transportation.  He had previously served as Vice President -
Energy Services for the Utility Division since 1986.  

      In 1988, G. A. Thorson, 59, was elected Vice President - Colstrip
Project Division for the Utility Division.

      In 1993, W. C. Verbael, 56, was elected Vice President - Accounting,
Finance and Information Systems.  He had previously served as Vice President -
Accounting and Finance for the Utility Division since 1984.  

      In 1993, P. J. Cole, 36, was elected Treasurer for the Utility Division. 
He served as Manager, Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis 1986-1992, and
Assistant Treasurer 1992-1993.  

      In 1990, J. S. Miller, 50, was elected Controller for the Utility
Division.  He served as Assistant Controller 1985-1990.  

      In 1992, J. J. Murphy, 55, was elected President and Chief Operating
Officer - Entech, Inc.  He served as President and Chief Operating Officer,
Western Energy and Northwestern Resources Co., 1988-1991, and Vice President,
Mining Division, Entech, Inc., 1988-1991.  

      In 1985, E. M. Senechal, 44, was elected Vice President and Treasurer -
Entech, Inc.  

      In 1992, R. F. Cromer, 48, was elected President and Chief Operating
Officer - Continental Energy Services, Inc.  He served as Vice President and
General Manager, Continental Energy Services  1989-1992.  

<PAGE>
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES  

UTILITY DIVISION:

      ELECTRIC PROPERTIES:  The Company's Utility Division electric system
extends through the western two-thirds of Montana.  Generating capability is
provided by four coal-fired thermal generation units, with total net
capability available to the Company of 697,000 kW, and 12 hydroelectric
projects, with total planned net capability of 489,000 kW.  The thermal units
are (1) Colstrip Unit 3, which has a net capability of 727,000 kW, of which
the Company owns 218,000 kW, (2) Colstrip Units 1 and 2, with a combined net
capability of 638,000 kW, of which the Company owns 319,000 kW, and (3) the
160,000 kW Corette Plant.  All of the Company's coal requirements are supplied
by Western Energy Company under long-term contracts.   Reliability of service
is enhanced by the location of hydroelectric generation on two separate
watersheds with different precipitation characteristics and by the
availability of thermal generation.  

      In addition to the Company's hydroelectric and thermal resources, it
currently receives power through 21 power contracts totaling 415,000 kW of
firm winter peak capacity.  These existing contracts vary in type, size,
seller and ending dates.  The Company has one energy contract ending in 1995
for the delivery of power to MPC during the off-peak hours.  

      Hydroelectric projects are licensed by the FERC under licenses which
expire on varying dates from 1994 to 2035.  The Company is in the process of
relicensing its nine dams located on the Missouri and Madison rivers.  See
Item 8, "Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements."

      The Company's electric system forms an integral part of the Northwest
Power Pool consisting of the major electric suppliers in the United States,
Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, and parts of Alberta, Canada.  The
Company also is a party to the Pacific Northwest Coordination Agreement which
integrates electric and hydroelectric operations of the 18 parties associated
with generating facilities in the Columbia River Basin; is a member of the
Western Systems Coordinating Council, organized by 62 member systems and
4 affiliates in the 14 western states, British Columbia, Alberta and Mexico to
assure reliability of operations and service to their customers; is one of
51 members of the Western Systems Power Pool, organized to enhance the
economics of power production and reliability of service among the western
states power systems; and is a party to the Intercompany Pool Agreement for
the coordination of load, resource and transmission planning, operations and
reserve requirements among eight utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah.  The Company participates in an
interconnection agreement with The Washington Water Power Company, Idaho Power
Company, and PacifiCorp, providing for the sharing of transmission capacity of
certain lines on their respective interconnected systems.  The Company also
operates, in coordination with its own transmission lines and facilities, the
transmission lines and facilities which are jointly owned by the utility
owners of the four Colstrip generating units.  The Company and the Western
Area Power Administration have transmission interconnection and agreements
which provide for the mutual use of excess capacity of certain lines on each
party's system for the transmission of power east of the Continental Divide in
Montana and for the firm use of certain of the Company's transmission lines to
deliver government power.  

      At December 31, 1993, the Company owned and operated 7,074 miles of
transmission lines and 14,880 miles of distribution lines.  

      NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES:  The Company produces natural gas from fields in
Montana and Wyoming and through its subsidiary, Canadian-Montana Gas Company,
from fields in southeastern Alberta, Canada.  Natural gas is also purchased
from independent producers in Montana and Alberta.  

      All of the Company's utility natural gas customers are served from its
transmission system which extends through the western two-thirds of Montana. 
The Company operates four natural gas storage fields on the system which
enable the Company to store natural gas in excess of system load requirements
during the summer and to deliver natural gas during winter periods of peak
demand.  

      At December 31, 1993, the Company and its subsidiaries owned and
operated 1,912 miles of natural gas transmission lines and 2,890 miles of
distribution mains.  

      All natural gas volumes are at a pressure base of 14.73 psia at
60 degrees Fahrenheit, except for those volumes used to compute the average
revenues by customer classification.  

      For information pertaining to the Company's net recoverable utility
natural gas reserves, see Item 8, "Supplementary Information."   

      In addition to Company-owned reserves, the Company, at December 31,
1993, controlled under purchase contracts, 65,305 Mmcf of proven reserves in
the United States and 37,824 Mmcf in Canada.  No significant change has
occurred and no event has taken place since December 31, 1993, that would
materially affect the magnitude of the Company's reserve estimates.  

      Utility natural gas reserve estimates have not been filed with any other
federal or any foreign governmental agency during the past twelve months. 
Certain lease and well data, with respect only to owned wells, are filed with
the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes.  

      Total produced, royalty and purchased natural gas volumes in Mmcf during
the last three years were as follows:  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      United States                        Canada            
             Produced   Royalty   Purchased    Produced   Royalty   Purchased
<S>           <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>
1991 . . . .  6,294        686      11,258       4,550      1,522       4,944
1992 . . . .  5,724        561       8,713       2,951        916       3,443
1993 . . . .  5,587        539       8,554       3,927      1,186       2,824
</TABLE>
      The following table presents information as of December 31, 1993,
concerning Company-owned utility natural gas wells and the owned or leased
acreages in which they are located.  

<PAGE>
                                                United States       Canada  

   Gross productive wells. . . . . . . . . .           591              167
   Net productive wells. . . . . . . . . . .           485              156
   Gross wells with multiple completions . .            17               10
   Net wells with multiple completions . . .          11.8              9.5

   Gross producing acres . . . . . . . . . .       452,194          203,672
   Net producing acres . . . . . . . . . . .       292,820          180,438
   Gross undeveloped acres . . . . . . . . .        76,761           54,240
   Net undeveloped acres . . . . . . . . . .        58,292           52,640

      These acreages are located primarily in Montana and Alberta, Canada.  

      The Company anticipates that during 1994 total exploration and
development expenditures (expense and capital) will be approximately
$1,857,000 in the United States and approximately $960,000 in Canada.  

      The following table presents information on utility natural gas
exploratory and development wells drilled during 1993, 1992 and 1991.   

                                     United States            Canada     
                                  1993   1992   1991     1993  1992  1991

Net productive exploratory
  wells. . . . . . . . . . . .      -      -      -        -     -     -
Net dry exploratory wells. . .      -      -      -        -     -     -
Net productive development
  wells. . . . . . . . . . . .    12.25   6.38   8.31    3.00    -     -
Net dry development wells. . .     2.00   3.00   1.00    1.00    -     -

      The following table presents average revenues received per Mcf by
customer classification for natural gas from all sources for the years 1993,
1992 and 1991.  Revenues per Mcf are computed based on volumes at varying
pressure bases as billed.  

                                                   Year Ended December 31 
    Customer Classification                        1993     1992     1991 

    Residential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $ 4.35   $ 4.22   $ 3.98
    Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        4.20     3.91     3.67
    Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        4.02     3.76     3.19
    Other gas utilities. . . . . . . . . . .        3.38     3.33     3.25

      The following table presents the average production cost per Mcf for
produced utility natural gas, in U. S. dollars, for the three years 1993, 1992
and 1991.  

                                    United States     Canada

                 1991. . . . . .    $    1.18         $ 0.52
                 1992. . . . . .         1.30           0.78
                 1993. . . . . .         1.44           0.60

      Production cost per unit fluctuated over the three-year period primarily
as a result of expensing fixed costs over varying levels of production
resulting from fluctuations in weather sensitive sales.  

ENTECH:  

      COAL PROPERTIES:  Western leases and produces coal in Montana and
Wyoming.  Northwestern leases and produces lignite from properties in Texas
and leases coal properties in Wyoming.  Basin produces coal, and North Central
owns and leases coal, in Colorado.  Horizon leases lignite properties in
Montana, Texas and Alabama.  Western SynCoal owns a 50% partnership interest
in a coal enhancement demonstration plant at Colstrip, Montana.  

      Western has coal mining leases covering approximately 561,000,000 proved
and probable, and recoverable, tons of surface-mineable coal reserves
averaging less than 1.25 pounds of sulfur per million Btu (low-sulfur) at
Colstrip.  Approximately 280,000,000 tons of these reserves are committed to
present contracts, including requirements of the Colstrip Units.  Western also
has coal mining leases covering approximately 6,000,000 proved and probable,
and recoverable, tons of surface-mineable coal reserves averaging less than
0.6 pounds of sulfur per million Btu (compliance quality) in Wyoming.  

      Northwestern has lignite mining leases in central Texas at the Jewett
Mine covering approximately 186,000,000 proved and probable, and recoverable,
tons of surface-mineable lignite.  Northwestern has contracted to supply the
entire capacity of the Jewett Mine to Houston Lighting and Power Company,
which owns two electric generating units located adjacent to the mine.  

      In 1990, Northwestern acquired surface rights and coal leases which
contain approximately 628,000,000 proved and probable, and recoverable, tons
of compliance quality surface-mineable coal reserves in the southern Powder
River coal region located at Rocky Butte, Wyoming.  In January 1993,
Northwestern acquired an adjacent federal lease which contains approximately
56,000,000 proved and probable, and recoverable tons of compliance quality
coal reserves.  Northwestern's application with the Department of Interior to
combine these leases into one logical mining unit, which was granted in
December 1993, requires the property to be developed by 2003.  However, a
challenge to the 1993 federal lease is pending.  If this challenge should be
successful, the logical mining unit approved in December 1993 would be
nullified and Northwestern would lose the rights to the federal coal leases
containing approximately 599,000,000 proved and probable, and recoverable tons
of reserves as described above.  

      North Central owns and leases lands containing approximately
90,000,000 tons of proved and probable, and recoverable, compliance quality
underground-mineable coal reserves near Trinidad, Colorado.  Approximately
18,000,000 tons of these reserves are dedicated to a long-term contract.  

      Horizon has undeveloped mining leases covering lands in three different
states.  Properties in eastern Montana contain approximately 31,000,000 proved
and probable, and recoverable, tons of low-sulfur surface-mineable lignite. 
Those in southeastern Alabama contain approximately 97,000,000 proved and
probable, and recoverable, tons of surface-mineable lignite (averaging greater
than 1.25 pounds of sulfur per million Btu).  Those in central Texas contain
approximately 177,000,000 proved and probable, and recoverable, tons of
surface-mineable lignite.  

      OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES:  No significant change has occurred and
no event has taken place since December 31, 1993, which would materially
affect the estimated quantities of proved reserves.  For information
pertaining to net recoverable Entech oil and natural gas reserves, see Item 8,
"Supplementary Information to the Consolidated Financial Statements."

      All Entech oil and natural gas volumes are at a pressure base of 14.73
psia at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  

      Entech oil and natural gas reserve estimates have not been filed with
any other federal or any foreign government agency during the past twelve
months.  Certain lease information and well data, only with respect to owned
wells, is filed with the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes.  

      The following table presents information on produced oil and natural gas
average sales prices and production costs in U.S. dollars for 1993, 1992 and
1991.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Year Ended December 31            
                                   1993            1992            1991     
                              United          United          United
                              States  Canada  States  Canada  States  Canada
<S>                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Average sales price:  

  Per Mcf of natural
    gas. . . . . . . . .      $  1.84 $  1.25 $  1.50 $  1.06 $  1.37 $  1.23
  Per barrel of oil. . .        17.61   14.21   19.15   14.77   20.74   14.56
  Per barrel of natural
    gas liquids. . . . .        10.98   11.66   10.16   13.42   11.66   15.77

Average production cost:

  Per barrel of oil
    equivalent . . . . .      $  3.84 $  3.02 $  3.52 $  3.15 $  4.36 $  3.63
</TABLE>
      Natural gas production was converted to barrel of oil equivalents based
on a ratio of six Mcf to one barrel of oil.  

      Entech's oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production was sold
under both short and long-term contracts at posted prices or under forward
market arrangements.  From 1992 to 1993, Entech's average sale prices changed
due to fluctuations in market prices and currency exchange rates.  In the
U.S., Entech's average production cost changed reflecting higher production
taxes per barrel of oil equivalent due to higher revenues received.  In
Canada, average production cost decreased because of lower well operating
expenses.  

      Information on Entech natural gas and oil wells and the owned or leased
acreages in which they are located, as of December 31, 1993, is presented
below.  
                                              United  
                                              States         Canada  

     Gross productive natural gas wells         400            194   
     Net productive natural gas wells           205.52         123.71
     Gross productive oil wells                 250            251   
     Net productive oil wells                   151.86         115.71

     Gross producing acres                  143,891        192,410   
     Net producing acres                     59,708         95,197   
     Gross undeveloped acres                235,360        210,405   
     Net undeveloped acres                  112,547        118,731

      The wells located in Canada include multiple completions of 12 gross
productive natural gas wells and 10.56 net productive gas wells.  

      The foregoing acreages are located in the United States and Canada 
primarily in the Rocky Mountain states and Alberta.  

      It is anticipated that during 1994 total exploration, acquisition and
development expenditures (expense and capital) will be approximately
$23,000,000 in the United States and approximately $14,600,000 in Canada.  

      The following table presents information on Entech oil and natural gas
exploratory and development wells drilled during 1993, 1992 and 1991.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     United States              Canada      
                                  1993    1992   1991    1993   1992   1991 
<S>                              <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>
Net productive natural gas
  exploratory wells. . . . .      1.25    0.56   1.96    0.87   0.50   0.50
Net productive oil
  exploratory wells. . . . .      3.00     --    1.00    1.04   0.56    --
Net productive natural gas
  development wells. . . . .     32.16   20.73  13.45    5.70   1.00   0.95
Net productive oil
  development wells. . . . .      4.12    7.00   8.18    6.56  24.65  14.53
Net dry exploratory wells. .      2.79     --    1.00    5.92   3.14    --
Net dry development wells. .      2.76    4.50   4.08    3.00   3.84   1.99

</TABLE>
      For information on properties acquired, see Item 8, "Supplementary
Information - Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities."  


<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT POWER GROUP:

      The IPG manages the sale of power from the Company's 210 MW Colstrip 4
leased interest and associated common and transmission facilities.  The IPG
also has general and limited partnership interests in or is providing
development funding to the following nonutility generation projects:  


Projects in Operation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    IPG
                                                   Share
                                                    of
                                            Rated  Rated
                                            Capa-  Capa-
                                 Ownership  city   city              Customer           
    Project          Location    Interest    MW     MW     Electricity         Steam    
<S>               <C>              <C>       <C>    <C>   <C>             <C>
Encogen One       Sweetwater, TX   49.5%     255    126   Texas Util      U.S. Gypsum
                                                            Electric Co
Tenaska-Paris     Paris, TX        10.0%     223     22   Texas Util      Campbell
                                                            Electric Co     Soup Co
Encogen Four      Buffalo, NY      49.5%      62     31   Niagara Mohawk  American
                                                            Power Corp      Brass Co
Lockport          Lockport, NY     22.3%     168     37   New York State  General Motors
                                                            Electric &
                                                            Gas Corp

Teesside          United Kingdom   33.3%*    168*    56   Various U.K.        --
                                                            customers

* Interest is the contractual right to receive and market 56 megawatts from a
1,725 megawatt natural gas-fired electric generating facility.  

Projects Under Construction

                                                    IPG
                                                   Share
                                                    of
                                            Rated  Rated
                                            Capa-  Capa-
                                 Ownership  city   city              Customer           
    Project          Location    Interest    MW     MW     Electricity         Steam    

Tenaska-Ferndale  Ferndale, WA     27.9%     245     68   Puget Sound     Tosco Corp
                                                            Power & Light
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Projects Under Development
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Planned  
                                                          Rated   
                                                          Capa-   
                                           Development    city            Customer        
      Project              Location         Interest       MW     Electricity      Steam  

<S>                    <C>                   <C>          <C>     <C>              <C>
Tenaska-Frederickson   Frederickson, WA      31.6%        248     Bonneville       None
                                                                    Power Admn

Tenaska-Brazos         Cleburne, TX          31.6%        240     Brazos REA        *

China-Henan            Henan Province,       12.5%        700          *            *
                       China

*Not determined at this time.  
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      Refer to Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations." 

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS  

      None.  

<PAGE>
                                    PART II


ITEM  5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS 

                           Common Stock Information

      The Common Stock of the Company is listed on the New York and Pacific
Stock Exchanges.  The following table presents the high and low sale prices of
the common stock of the Company as well as dividends declared for the years
1993 and 1992.  The number of common shareholders on December 31, 1993, was
38,883. 

                                                          Dividends
                                                          Declared
                                                             per  
                 1993            High          Low          Share  

             1st quarter       $ 27.875     $ 25.125     $  0.395
             2nd quarter         27.750       25.500        0.395
             3rd quarter         28.125       26.375        0.395
             4th quarter         27.500       24.500        0.400


                                                          Dividends
                                                          Declared
                                                             per  
                 1992            High          Low          Share  

             1st quarter       $ 28.000     $ 24.000     $  0.385
             2nd quarter         26.375       23.625        0.385
             3rd quarter         26.625       24.875        0.385
             4th quarter         26.625       24.500        0.395


<PAGE>
ITEM  6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries

Balance Sheet Items (000)
                                              1993        1992        1991   
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>
Assets:
  Utility plant. . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,943,428  $1,854,297  $1,774,185
  Less accumulated depreciation 
    and depletion. . . . . . . . . . .        572,141     533,216     495,720
     Net Utility Plant . . . . . . . .      1,371,287   1,321,081   1,278,465
  Entech property. . . . . . . . . . .        526,692     482,732     464,978
  Less accumulated depreciation
    and depletion. . . . . . . . . . .        182,129     163,185     144,691
     Net Entech Property . . . . . . .        344,563     319,547     320,287
  Independent Power Group. . . . . . .         70,198      69,805      66,477
  Less accumulated depreciation. . . .         16,822      15,090      11,633
     Net Independent Power Group . . .         53,376      54,715      54,844
       Total Net Plant and Property. .      1,769,226   1,695,343   1,653,596
  Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . .        616,801     590,079     564,450
       Total Assets. . . . . . . . . .     $2,386,027  $2,285,422  $2,218,046

Liabilities:
  Common shareholders' equity. . . . .     $  945,651  $  902,989  $  862,601
  Unallocated stock held by trustee
    for Deferred Savings and ESOP. . .        (34,419)    (36,098)    (37,631)
  Preferred stock. . . . . . . . . . .        101,419      51,984      51,984
  Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . .        571,870     581,179     603,266
  Other liabilities. . . . . . . . . .        801,506     785,368     737,826
       Total Liabilities . . . . . . .     $2,386,027  $2,285,422  $2,218,046


<PAGE>
ITEM  6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA  

The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries

Balance Sheet Items (000)
                                              1990        1989        1988   
Assets:
  Utility plant. . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,712,255  $1,662,887  $1,587,895
  Less accumulated depreciation 
    and depletion. . . . . . . . . . .        468,201     440,944     407,186
     Net Utility Plant . . . . . . . .      1,244,054   1,221,943   1,180,709
  Entech property. . . . . . . . . . .        403,169     357,088     329,444
  Less accumulated depreciation 
    and depletion. . . . . . . . . . .        124,309     106,702      90,936
     Net Entech Property . . . . . . .        278,860     250,386     238,508
  Independent Power Group. . . . . . .         66,507      66,000      64,429
  Less accumulated depreciation. . . .         10,583       8,790       6,557
     Net Independent Power Group . . .         55,924      57,210      57,872
       Total Net Plant and Property. .      1,578,838   1,529,539   1,477,089
  Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . .        537,686     542,085     575,505
       Total Assets. . . . . . . . . .     $2,116,524  $2,071,624  $2,052,594

Liabilities:
  Common shareholders' equity. . . . .     $  821,521  $  788,447  $  768,349
  Unallocated stock held by trustee
    for Deferred Savings and ESOP. . .        (39,031)
  Preferred stock. . . . . . . . . . .         51,984      51,984      51,984
  Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . .        599,971     562,610     551,463
  Other liabilities. . . . . . . . . .        682,079     668,583     680,798
       Total Liabilities . . . . . . .     $2,116,524  $2,071,624  $2,052,594
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Income Statement Items (000)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1993        1992        1991   
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>
Utility operations:
  Electric revenues. . . . . . . . . .     $  433,602  $  406,290  $  389,476
  Natural gas revenues . . . . . . . .        111,288      98,401     108,542
    Total Utility Operating Revenues .        544,890     504,691     498,018

  Operation expenses . . . . . . . . .        207,362     191,650     178,368
  Purchased gas. . . . . . . . . . . .         24,399      22,519      30,603
  Fuel for electric generation . . . .         33,338      38,253      35,476
  Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . .         38,534      34,239      36,321
  Depreciation and depletion . . . . .         46,056      43,530      41,443
  Taxes--income and other. . . . . . .         89,234      75,636      72,011
  Other income . . . . . . . . . . . .           (980)     (1,972)        171
  Interest charges . . . . . . . . . .         46,885      47,733      50,659

    Income from Utility Operations . .         60,062      53,103      52,966

Entech operations:
  Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        410,451     397,129     362,100
  Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . .        240,701     219,176     190,597
  Taxes - other than income taxes. . .         38,933      44,964      40,323
  Depreciation and depletion . . . . .         31,653      33,531      30,108
  Selling, general and administrative.         38,256      36,050      36,963
  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          2,284       2,144       1,776
  Interest income and other - net. . .         (5,829)     (5,111)     (6,642)
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . .         17,263      16,178      19,592 

    Income from Entech Operations. . .         47,190      50,197      49,383

Independent Power Group operations:
  Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        120,255      86,580      59,983
  Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        120,296      82,815      56,617

    Income from Independent Power
      Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (41)      3,765       3,366

Consolidated net income. . . . . . . .        107,211     107,065     105,715
Dividends on preferred stock . . . . .          4,353       3,790       3,790

Net income available for common stock.     $  102,858  $  103,275  $  101,925

Net income per share of common stock .     $     1.98  $     2.02  $     2.03
Dividends declared per share of 
  common stock . . . . . . . . . . . .     $    1.585  $     1.55  $    1.495
Average shares outstanding (000) . . .         52,040      51,126      50,317

<PAGE>
Income Statement Items (000)
                                              1990        1989        1988   
Utility operations:
  Electric revenues. . . . . . . . . .     $  340,988  $  343,195  $  323,850
  Natural gas revenues . . . . . . . .        109,350     108,679      96,095
    Total Utility Operating Revenues .        450,338     451,874     419,945

  Operation expenses . . . . . . . . .        151,360     146,443     139,827
  Purchased gas. . . . . . . . . . . .         33,693      36,639      31,345
  Fuel for electric generation . . . .         32,314      30,633      30,124
  Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . .         34,998      31,864      30,134
  Depreciation and depletion . . . . .         39,655      40,944      37,624
  Taxes--income and other. . . . . . .         63,407      61,862      57,304
  Other income . . . . . . . . . . . .           (574)     (6,755)     (3,138)
  Interest charges . . . . . . . . . .         47,364      51,529      47,325

    Income from Utility Operations . .         48,121      58,715      49,400

Entech operations:
  Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        319,770     271,909     270,159
  Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . .        170,980     140,208     135,685
  Taxes - other than income taxes. . .         39,217      34,790      42,347
  Depreciation and depletion . . . . .         21,839      21,406      19,267
  Selling, general and administrative.         23,701      22,604      21,885
  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          1,884         857       3,279
  Interest income and other - net. . .         (3,387)     (6,120)     (6,780)
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . .         19,023      15,488      18,303

    Income from Entech Operations. . .         46,513      42,676      36,173

Independent Power Group operations:
  Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         53,263      51,431      42,749
  Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         52,917      78,411      56,460

    Income from Independent Power
      Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . .            346     (26,980)    (13,711)

Consolidated net income. . . . . . . .         94,980      74,411      71,862
Dividends on preferred stock . . . . .          3,790       3,790       3,790

Net income available for common stock.     $   91,190  $   70,621  $   68,072

Net income per share of common stock .     $     1.84  $     1.45  $     1.42
Dividends declared per share of 
  common stock . . . . . . . . . . . .     $    1.435  $     1.39  $     1.35
Average shares outstanding (000) . . .         49,657      48,830      47,896
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ITEM  7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations:  

      The following discussion presents significant events or trends which
have had an effect on the operations of the Company during the years 1991
through 1993.  Also presented are factors which are expected to have an impact
on operating results in the future.  This discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Statement of Income.   

Net Income Per Share of Common Stock:  

      The Company's consolidated net income increased to $107,211,000 in 1993
compared to $107,065,000 and $105,715,000 in 1992 and 1991, respectively.  The
following table shows the sources of consolidated net income on a per share
basis.  

                                        1993          1992          1991 

       Utility Operations              $ 1.07        $ 0.97        $ 0.98
       Entech                            0.91          0.98          0.98
       Independent Power Group            --           0.07          0.07

                                       $ 1.98        $ 2.02        $ 2.03


      Colder weather and increased hydroelectric generation combined to
increase the earnings of the Utility Division for 1993.  The Utility increase
offset reduced earnings of Entech and the Independent Power Group (IPG). 
Entech earnings decreased primarily due to reduced coal sales resulting from
an extended outage at a Colstrip generating unit.  The IPG earnings decrease
resulted primarily from a decrease in cogeneration project development
revenues.  

      Consolidated net income for 1992 benefited from the higher earnings of
Entech's Oil Division, lower interest rates and the gain resulting from the
sale of securities held for investment.  Net income for the year was also
boosted by increased wholesale sales of electricity.  The warm, dry weather
experienced in the Company's service territory during the first half of 1992
caused power supply costs to increase and natural gas sales to decline. 
Strong natural gas sales during the fourth quarter resulting from colder
weather and record operating performance by the Utility's coal-fired plants
throughout the year partially offset the adverse effect of weather early in
the year.  Losses incurred at a coal mine acquired in June 1991 adversely
impacted consolidated net income during 1992.

<PAGE>
Utility Operations:  

      The following table shows changes from the prior year, in millions of
dollars, in principal categories of utility revenues and the related
percentage changes in volumes sold and prices received:  

                                             1993        1992   

Electric
General business       - revenue          $     9     $     9
                       - volume                 3%          -
                       - price/kWh              -           2%
Other utilities        - revenue          $    14     $     8
                       - volume                11%          3%
                       - price/kWh              8%          9%

Natural Gas
General business       - revenue          $    14     $    (9)
                       - volume                11%        (17%)
                       - price/Mcf              6%          9%
Other utilities        - revenue          $    (5)    $    (4)
                       - volume               (53%)       (35%)
                       - price/Mcf              1%          2%
Transportation*        - revenue          $     2     $     3
                       - volume                19%         NM**
                       - price/Mcf             35%        (16%)


*Service commenced November 1, 1991.
**Not Meaningful

     Weather can significantly affect electric and natural gas revenues, and
should be considered when determining trends.  The Company's sales usually
increase as a result of colder weather, especially in the winter months.  As
measured by heating degree days, the weather in 1993 in the Company's service
territory was 17% colder than 1992 and 8% colder than normal.  The weather in
1992 was 2% warmer than in 1991 and 8% warmer than normal.  

1993 Compared to 1992

Operating Revenues:  

     Electric revenues from general business customers increased due to a 3%
increase in volumes sold.  Weather, which was 17% colder than 1992, and a 2%
increase in the number of customers combined to increase revenues $8,600,000. 


     Electric revenues from sales to other utilities increased revenues
$14,300,000.  Volumes increased 11% and unit prices increased 8%, providing
additional revenues of $7,000,000 and $7,300,000, respectively.  The increases
occurred primarily during the first and fourth quarters as a result of
improved regional market conditions during those periods.  In spite of reduced
steam generation resulting from outages at a Colstrip generating unit, volumes
sold increased due to a 27% increase in hydroelectric generation for the year
and increased power purchases.  

     Under a transportation tariff effective November 1, 1991, natural gas
customers who consume more than 60,000 Mcfs annually (noncore customers) may
purchase natural gas from other suppliers and transport that gas on the
Company's transportation and distribution system for a fee.  One noncore
customer was no longer required to purchase any natural gas from the Company. 
The remaining customers were required to purchase two-thirds of their gas
supplies from the Company until September 1, 1992, and thereafter, one-third
until September 1, 1993, at which time they became free to purchase all of
their gas from other sources.  The resulting decline in natural gas sales
revenue has been offset by revenues from transportation fees, lower purchase
gas costs and increased revenues from higher rates charged to core general
business customers.  

     Natural gas revenues from general business customers increased
$14,500,000.  A 19% increase in volumes sold to residential and commercial
customers, primarily a result of 17% colder weather and a 4% increase in the
number of customers, increased revenues $13,900,000.  Rate increases resulting
from the transportation phase-in mentioned previously and an interim rate
order effective October 18, 1993, increased revenues $4,100,000.  These
increases were partially offset by a $3,500,000 decrease resulting from a 54%
reduction in volumes sold to industrial, government and municipal customers
who switched to transportation.   

     Natural gas revenues from sales to other utilities also decreased
$4,600,000 due to a 53% decrease in volumes resulting from switches to
transportation service.  


Operating Expenses and Taxes:  

     The following table shows the Company's sources of electricity and power
supply expenses (Operation, Fuel for electric generation, and Maintenance) 
for 1993 and 1992.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1993              1992    
Sources                                              Megawatt Hours        
<S>                                           <C>               <C>
Hydroelectric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,560,915         2,793,974
Steam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,542,100         5,176,130
Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,186,025         2,833,388

  Total Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . .     11,289,040        10,803,492

Expenses                                           Thousands of Dollars    

Hydroelectric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $    18,092       $    17,384
Steam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         57,876            59,563
Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         96,222            89,748

  Total Power Supply Expenses. . . . . . .    $   172,190       $   166,695

  Cents per Kilowatt-Hour. . . . . . . . .          1.525             1.543
</TABLE>
      The Company's hydroelectric output increased as a result of improved
streamflows, offsetting a decline in generation from the Company's coal-fired
plants.  Purchased power volumes were increased to meet higher sales to
general business and wholesale customers.  

      Increases in purchased power costs were partially offset by a $2,900,000
decrease in the amortization of previously deferred costs.  Fuel for electric
generation decreased $4,900,000 as a result of outages at a Colstrip
generating unit.  The decrease in fuel was partially offset by a $3,000,000
increase in maintenance of steam plants resulting from scheduled maintenance
and unscheduled repairs due to the previously mentioned outages.  

      Operations expense not associated with power supply costs increased
$9,600,000 primarily due to a $5,000,000 increase in labor costs, a $2,400,000
increase in transmission costs and expenses of $1,600,000 related to property
damage to homes at Colstrip.  

      Purchased gas increased $1,900,000 primarily as a result of increased
deferred amortizations which are offset by similar increases in natural gas
revenues through gas cost tracking procedures, and do not affect net income.  

      The $4,100,000 increase in taxes - other than income taxes is
principally due to increased property taxes resulting from property additions
and higher mill levies.  

Interest Charges:  

      The $1,700,000 decrease in interest on long-term debt is primarily a
result of lower interest rates due to refinancings.  


1992 Compared to 1991

Operating Revenues:

      Electric revenues from general business customers improved $9,100,000. 
A 2% increase in unit prices, primarily the result of a $16,700,000 annual
rate increase effective July 1991, contributed approximately $7,700,000.  The
remaining $1,400,000 increase resulted from a slight increase in volumes sold. 

      Electric revenues from sales to other utilities increased $8,300,000 due
to a 9% increase in price and a 3% increase in volumes sold.  Price increases
were caused by reduced hydroelectric generation throughout the Pacific
Northwest, the result of drought conditions that reduced streamflows.  Volumes
available for sale increased, in spite of reduced hydroelectric generation at
Company facilities, as a result of a 10% increase in generation at the
Utility's coal-fired plants and purchases.  

      Natural gas revenues from general business customers decreased
$8,900,000, the result of decreased sales volumes.  Specifically, sales
volumes to industrial, government and municipal customers decreased 55%,
principally as the result of the switch of customers to the gas transportation
tariff, reducing revenues $10,300,000.  In addition, volumes sold to
residential and commercial customers decreased 5%, reducing revenues
$3,700,000.  Increased consumption resulting from a 3% increase in customers
was more than offset by reduced volumes caused by warmer weather.  Revenue
decreases resulting from lower sales volumes were partially offset by rate
adjustments, which contributed approximately $5,000,000.  These adjustments
consist of $5,900,000 and $2,800,000 annual increases, effective November 1991
and September 1992, respectively, to recover costs that had previously been
allocated to non-core customers, partially offset by a $1,900,000 annual
decrease, effective November 1991, resulting from a gas cost tracking
procedure that annually balances costs collected from customers with the cost
of supplying gas.  These rate adjustments do not affect earnings.  

      Natural gas revenues from other utilities declined $4,400,000 due to a
35% decrease in sales volumes.  This decline is largely a result of an
eligible customer switching to the gas transportation tariff.  

Operating Expenses and Taxes:

      The following table shows the Company's sources of electricity and power
supply expenses (Operation, Fuel for electric generation, and Maintenance) for
1992 and 1991.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1992              1991    
Sources                                                Megawatt Hours       
<S>                                            <C>               <C>
Hydroelectric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,793,974         3,465,626
Steam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,176,130         4,700,171
Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,833,388         2,281,423

  Total Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . .      10,803,492        10,447,220

Expenses                                            Thousands of Dollars    

Hydroelectric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $    17,384       $    16,929
Steam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          59,563            58,866
Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          89,748            75,283

  Total Power Supply Expenses. . . . . . .     $   166,695       $   151,078

  Cents per Kilowatt-Hour. . . . . . . . .           1.543             1.446
</TABLE>
      The Company's 1992 hydroelectric generation was reduced as a result of
the drought conditions experienced in the Pacific Northwest.  Increased power
purchases from other utilities and qualifying facilities offset the hydro
reduction and provided energy for sales to other utilities.  In addition,
power purchase costs increased $3,500,000 as a result of the amortization of
costs related to certain 1991 qualifying facility purchases which were
deferred in accordance with regulatory decisions.  

      Fuel for electric generation was up $2,800,000, largely a result of
increased generation by the Corette Plant in 1992.  This plant was
out-of-service from May through August 1991 for maintenance and rehabilitation
work.  Maintenance expenses decreased $2,100,000, primarily a result of the
aforementioned work at the Corette Plant in 1991.  

      Purchased gas expense decreased $8,100,000.  The assignment of gas
purchase contracts to the customers who switched to gas transportation
decreased expense approximately $5,600,000.  The remainder of the decrease is
largely the result of lower sales due to warmer weather.  Since purchased gas
expense decreases are offset by similar changes in natural gas revenues
through gas cost tracking procedures, net income is not affected.  

      The $3,400,000 increase in taxes - other than income taxes is
principally due to increased property taxes resulting from property additions
and higher mill levies.  

Other Income and Expense:

      Income taxes applicable to other income decreased $2,100,000, the result
of the recalculation, in 1992, of taxes accrued in 1991.  

Interest Charges:

      The $2,900,000 decrease in total interest expense is principally the
result of lower interest rates on long and short-term debt.  

Entech Operations:

      The following table shows year-to-year changes for the previous two
years, in millions of dollars, in the various classifications of revenues of
Entech's businesses with the related percentage changes in volumes sold and
prices received:  

                                             1993      1992 
            Coal              -revenue      $ (8)     $  5
                              -volume         (7%)       -
                              -price/ton       1%        1%

            Oil               -revenue      $ (5)     $ 11
                              -volume        (10%)      61%
                              -price/bbl      (6%)     (10%)

            Natural Gas       -revenue      $  9      $  5
                              -volume         16%       24%
                              -price/Mcf      20%       (3%)

            Natural Gas
              Marketing       -revenue      $ 23      $ 13

            Other Operations  -revenue      $ (6)     $  1 

1993 Compared to 1992

Revenues:

      Coal revenues at the Rosebud Mine decreased $21,000,000 due to lower
volumes sold to the Colstrip units as a result of unscheduled outages and from
fewer spot sales to Midwestern customers.  This revenue decrease was partially
offset by an increase of $5,800,000 from a combination of brokered coal
revenues and fees related to operating the SynCoal demonstration plant.  At
the Jewett Mine, coal revenues increased by $11,400,000 due to higher volumes
sold to the mine-mouth power plants, offset by an $8,000,000 decrease from
lower reimbursable mining expenses.  Higher volumes sold to supply coal for
test burns and spot market sales resulted in increased revenues of $4,000,000
at the Golden Eagle Mine.  In July 1994, the Golden Eagle Mine will begin
delivering up to 1,200,000 tons of coal per year to a new customer under a
long-term contract.  

      Entech's coal business faces increasing competition for Midwestern
customers resulting from surplus coal capacity in the southern Powder River
Basin.  In 1993, the Rosebud Mine sold approximately 2,000,000 tons of coal
under contracts with two Midwestern customers.  One of the contracts with a
Midwestern customer, totaling approximately 1,000,000 tons per year, has a
price reopener at the end of 1994.  The other contract, which includes take-
or-pay provisions, also totaling approximately 1,000,000 tons, will expire at
the end of 1995.  It is uncertain whether either of these contracts will be
retained.  Both customers are expected to purchase the same number of tons
during 1994 as they purchased in 1993, and take-or-pay revenues are expected
to be at the same levels as in 1993.  

      Oil revenues decreased $5,400,000 primarily from lower volumes sold as a
result of natural declining production and from lower market prices received
in both Canada and the U.S.  Natural gas revenues increased $9,200,000
principally from higher market prices received and higher volumes sold as a
result of development drilling in both Canada and the U.S.  The increase in
natural gas marketing revenues reflects escalated prices received under three
cogeneration supply contracts and higher volumes sold.  

      Revenues from Entech's other operations decreased $6,200,000 as a net
result of the sale of the waste management operations in May 1993 offset by
higher telecommunications revenues resulting from expansion of services into
three Northwestern states and increased contractual services provided to
common carriers.   

Costs and Expenses:

      Cost of sales increased approximately $21,500,000.  This amount is
comprised of several items.  Natural gas for resale increased $23,100,000 and
costs from increased production of natural gas increased $1,400,000.  In
addition, $1,900,000 of the increase resulted from telecommunications
services.  These amounts were offset by a $4,500,000 decrease as a result of
the sale of the waste management operations.  Taxes other than income taxes
decreased as a result of lower coal revenues at the Rosebud Mine.  The
decrease in depreciation and depletion results primarily from lower coal
production at the Rosebud Mine.  Selling, general and administrative expense
increased $1,600,000 from the implementation of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions" and from a non-recurring workers' compensation
refund of $800,000 received in 1992. 

      Interest income and other-net increased approximately $700,000 from the
net effect of several events.  Profits from asset sales increased $2,200,000
and an increase of $3,000,000 was realized because of a 1992 payment to settle
a lawsuit.  These increases were offset by a $3,300,000 decrease in joint
ventures income and $1,100,000 less income received from the Brazilian
subsidiary in 1993.  

1992 Compared to 1991

Revenues:

      Coal revenues at the Rosebud Mine improved $8,300,000 principally due to
higher volumes sold because of improved operating performance by the Colstrip
units and the Company's Corette Plant.  Coal revenues decreased at the Jewett
Mine $6,900,000 reflecting lower tonnages sold as a result of scheduled and
unscheduled power plant maintenance offset by a $4,300,000 increase due to
higher reimbursable mining expenses.  Coal revenues decreased $600,000 at the
Golden Eagle Mine.  The mine was temporarily closed in April 1992 because its
primary customer discontinued buying coal.  The mine resumed limited
operations in mid-October 1992 to supply coal for test burn orders.  Markets
for coal from this mine are being sought.  

      The Coal Division faces increasing price competition for Midwestern
customers caused by surplus coal capacity.  In 1992, the Rosebud Mine sold
approximately 14,700,000 tons of coal.  One Rosebud Mine long-term contract
with a Midwestern customer, totaling approximately 1,000,000 tons per year,
has a price reopener in 1994.  Renegotiation of this contract has not yet
begun.  Another Rosebud Mine long-term contract with another Midwestern
customer, totaling approximately 1,000,000 tons per year, will expire in 1995. 
It is uncertain whether this contract will be renewed.  

      Oil revenues increased $11,000,000 from higher volumes sold as the
result of development drilling and a 1991 Canadian property acquisition. 
Natural gas revenues increased $5,000,000 primarily from higher volumes sold
resulting from development drilling and the property acquisition.  The
increased natural gas revenues from higher volumes sold were partially offset
by lower Canadian natural gas prices.  Natural gas marketing revenues
increased $13,000,000 from higher volumes sold and escalated prices received
under three cogeneration supply contracts.  

      In 1992, the Entech Oil Division entered into forward sales and swap
transactions to reduce the effect of fluctuations in oil prices on its
profitability and cash flow.  Prospectively, the Division has hedged 700,000
barrels, which represent approximately 40% of its 1993 U.S. and Canadian oil
production, with various financial instruments.  This strategy provides price
protection should the Nymex-based price fall below $17.94 per barrel.  The
difference between market value and hedged contract prices is recognized in
income when the hedged production is sold.  

      Revenues from Entech's other operations increased approximately
$1,000,000 resulting from a $4,400,000 increase in telecommunications
operations and a $1,500,000 increase in waste management operations.  These
increases were partially offset by a $3,000,000 decrease from real estate
sales and a $2,200,000 decrease from automated system control contracts.  Real
estate sales are not expected to make a material contribution to revenues in
future periods due to reduced real estate inventory.  

Costs and Expenses:  

      Cost of sales increased approximately $28,000,000.  This amount is
comprised of $10,000,000 of increased cost of purchasing natural gas for
resale, $7,000,000 of increase coal production costs due to increased volumes
and higher maintenance costs at Colstrip, $5,000,000 of increased costs
reflecting a full year operation of the Golden Eagle Mine, which was acquired
mid-1991, and $6,000,000 of increased oil and gas production costs associated
with greater volumes produced.  Taxes - other than incomes taxes increased due
to the settlement of a state production tax audit and due to higher revenues
at Colstrip.  The majority of these taxes were passed through to customers
under coal contract provisions.  The increase in depreciation and depletion
results from increased oil and gas production offset by reduced depletion
rates due to the Canadian acquisition.  Increased interest expense resulted
from higher levels of debt outstanding during the period.  

      Interest income and other-net decreased $1,600,000 because of a
$3,000,000 payment attributable to a lawsuit settlement and $1,000,000 less
income received from the Brazilian subsidiary in 1992.  These decreases were
offset by $2,400,000 increased profits from asset sales.  Income tax expense
decreased principally due to lower pretax income and additional tax credits.  

Independent Power Group Operations:

1993 Compared to 1992

      IPG revenues increased $33,700,000.  The acquisition of a company that
provides energy-related support services in November 1992 resulted in
increased revenues of $39,300,000.  The increase was partially offset by a
$6,000,000 reduction in cogeneration project development fees.  Revenues from
electricity sold under long-term contracts remained at 1992 levels.  

      IPG expenses increased $37,500,000 primarily as a result of a
$38,900,000 increase resulting from the acquisition mentioned above.  Expenses
also increased $3,000,000 due to increases in purchased power costs resulting
from outages at a Colstrip generating unit, $1,000,000 due to the accrual of
Colstrip housing damage claims and $3,800,000 resulting from a change in the
amount of amortization of the loss on long-term sales.  The increases were
offset by a $3,500,000 reduction in fuel expense resulting from the plant
outages, a $3,000,000 decrease in cogeneration development  expenses and a
$2,700,000 decrease in income tax expense.  

1992 Compared to 1991

      IPG revenues improved $16,800,000.  The acquisition of a company that
provides energy-related support services in November 1992 resulted in
increased revenues of $8,200,000.  Revenues from electricity sales increased
$4,600,000, caused by higher prices on electricity sold under long-term
contracts.  Successful cogeneration project development activities resulted in
additional revenues of $3,900,000.  

      IPG expenses increased $16,400,000.  The acquisition and cogeneration
project development activities mentioned above resulted in additional expenses
of $8,200,000 and $4,600,000, respectively.  Expenses increased an additional
$3,600,000 as a result of more scheduled maintenance at a Colstrip generating
unit and higher transmission expenses.

<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources:  

      Net cash provided by operating activities was $182,437,000 in 1993
compared to $211,081,000 in 1992 and $193,704,000 in 1991.  Cash from
operating activities less dividends paid provided 53% of capital expenditures
in 1993, down from 80% in 1992 and 61% in 1991.

      The Company's long-term debt as a percentage of capitalization was 36%,
39% and 41% in 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.  The Company also has
entered into long-term lease arrangements and other long-term contracts for
sales and purchases that are not reflected on its balance sheet and impact its
liquidity.  See Item 8, "Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements" for
additional information.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Capital expenditures during the prior three years are as follows:  

     Years        Utility          Entech            IPG              Total  
                             Thousands of Dollars
<S>               <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
     1991         $ 84,996        $ 88,467        $ 15,220          $ 188,683
     1992           96,352          43,982          19,489            159,823
     1993          112,178          64,702           4,542            181,422



      The following table sets forth the Company's estimated capital
expenditures for the years 1994-1998:  


     Years        Utility          Entech            IPG              Total  
                             Thousands of Dollars

     1994         $144,000        $ 46,000        $ 28,000          $ 218,000
     1995          160,000          53,000          26,000            239,000
     1996          197,000          51,000          31,000            279,000
     1997          123,000          68,000          25,000            216,000
     1998          134,000          51,000          29,000            214,000
</TABLE>
      In addition, $90,460,000 of long-term debt will mature during the years
1994-1998.  See Item 8, "Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements" for
details on maturities of long-term debt.  

      For the years 1994-1998, the Company estimates that approximately 51% of
its utility construction program, 100% of Entech capital expenditures and 44%
of IPG investments will be financed from funds generated internally and that
the balance, as well as maturing long-term debt, will be financed through the
incurrence of short and long-term debt and the sales of equity securities, the
timing and amounts of which will depend upon future market conditions.  The
Company has adequate sources of external capital to meet its financing needs. 

      Dividends on common and preferred stock increased to $87,054,000 in 1993
from $83,209,000 in 1992 and $78,114,000 in 1991.  The Company paid dividends
of $1.58 per share of outstanding common stock during 1993, up 2.6% from 1992. 
The dividend paid January 31, 1994 was increased by the Company's Board of
Directors to 40 cents per share, an increase of 0.5 cents per share from the
previous quarter.  This 1.3% increase raises the common stock dividend to an
indicated rate of $1.60 per share on an annual basis.

      The Company and Entech have Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreements in
the amount of $60,000,000 and $75,000,000, respectively.  These businesses
also have short-term borrowing facilities with commercial banks that provide
both committed and uncommitted lines of credit, and the ability to sell
commercial paper.  See Item 8, "Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements."

      During the first quarter of 1993, the Company sold $50,000,000 of First
Mortgage Bonds and $43,000,000 of Medium-Term Notes, which are secured by
First Mortgage Bonds, with interest rates from 7% to 8.11%.  The proceeds were
used to reduce interest expense by refinancing long-term debt maturities and
redeeming, prior to maturity, $60,000,000 of the 8 5/8% series of First
Mortgage Bonds, due 2004.  

      In 1993, the Company sold $90,205,000 of Pollution Control Revenue
Bonds, 6 1/8% series due 2023.  The proceeds of this issue were used to
redeem, prior to maturity, $90,205,000 of Pollution Control Revenue Bonds,
which includes $18,545,000 of the 5.75% series due 2003, $7,000,000 of the
6.3% series due 2007, $39,660,000 of the Adjustable Rate Series due 2014 and
$25,000,000 of the Variable Rate Series due 2014.  The Company also sold
$80,000,000 of Pollution Control Revenue Bonds, 5.9% series due 2023, the
proceeds of which were used to redeem, prior to maturity, $80,000,000 of
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds which included $40,000,000 of the 10% series
due 2004 and $40,000,000 of the 10 1/8% series due 2014.  See Item No. 8,
"Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements."  

      In November 1993, the Company sold $50,000,000 of the $6.875 series of
perpetual Preferred Stock, stated value and liquidation value $100.  The net
proceeds from the sale were used to repay short-term debt.  The stock is
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on
or after November 1, 2003.  

      On January 19, 1994, the Company sold $5,000,000 of Secured Medium-Term
Notes, 7.25% series due 2024, the proceeds of which were used to repay short-
term debt.  The Company also intends to sell additional Secured Medium-Term
Notes within the first half of 1994 for the purpose of retiring Commercial
Paper.  

      The Company's Mortgage and Deed of Trust contains certain restrictions
upon the issuance of additional First Mortgage Bonds.  At December 31, 1993,
after taking into account the sale of $98,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds and
Secured Medium-Term Notes discussed above, the unfunded net property additions
and retired bonds test, which is the most restrictive test, would have
permitted the issuance of approximately $488,000,000 additional First Mortgage
Bonds.  There are no restrictions upon issuance of short-term debt or
preferred stock in the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, its
Mortgage and Deed of Trust or its Sinking Fund Debenture Agreement.  

SEC Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:

      For the twelve months ended December 31, 1993, the Company's ratio of
earnings to fixed charges was 2.86 times.  Fixed charges include interest, the
implicit interest of Unit 4 rentals and one-third of all other rental
payments.
<PAGE>
Inflation:  

      Capital intensive businesses, such as the Company's electric and natural
gas operations, are significantly affected by long-term inflation.  Neither
depreciation charges against earnings nor the ratemaking process reflect the
replacement cost of utility plant.  However, based on past practices of
regulators, these businesses will be allowed to recover and earn on the actual
cost of investment in the replacement or upgrade of plant.  Although prices
for natural gas may fluctuate, earnings are not impacted because a gas cost
tracking procedure annually balances gas costs collected from customers with
the costs of supplying gas. 

      Entech's long-term coal contracts and the IPG's long-term operation,
maintenance and power sales contracts provide for the adjustment of prices
either through indices, fixed rate escalations and/or direct pass-through of
costs.

      The Company believes that the effects of inflation, at currently
anticipated levels, will not significantly affect results of operations.

Postemployment Benefits:

      The Financial Accounting Standards Board released SFAS No. 112,
"Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits," in 1992.  SFAS No. 112 is
not expected to have a significant effect upon results of operations.  See
Item 8, "Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional
information.  

Environmental Issues:  

      The Company's businesses are subject to, and in substantial compliance
with, existing federal and state environmental regulations.  The Company is
committed to careful management and actions which will permit it to continue
to do its part to protect and maintain the environment.  

      The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 should impose no major effects on
the Company's electric generation facilities.  The Company's coal-fired
generating plants meet the 1995 Phase I requirements of the Act.  Low-sulfur
coal and state-of-the-art scrubbers already result in sulfur dioxide emissions 
from the Colstrip units well below the new requirements.  Either fuel
switching or the use of allowances, or both, would permit the Corette Plant to
meet the Phase II requirements of the Act in 2000.  Despite the expectation
that the Corette Plant may be operated to comply with the Act, air quality
problems in the Billings, Montana area may result in the imposition of
additional emissions restrictions that would require the evaluation of other
options.  

      Modifications will be required at three units in the late 1990's to meet
the nitrogen oxide emission standards of the Act.  However, Phase I rules
implementing the Act have not been published.  Nor does the Company know what
requirements may result from Phase II Rules, which also are yet to be
published.  Consequently, the capital costs associated with the modifications
to meet the nitrogen oxide standards of the Act have not yet been determined. 
However, capital improvements that may be required are expected to be
recovered through rates and therefore, the costs are not expected to have a
material impact on earnings.  

      In 1988, the United States Environmental Protection Agency advised the
Company that it, along with certain upstream industries, is a potentially
responsible party (PRP) for the release of certain toxic substances which have
come to rest behind the dam at the Company's Milltown Hydroelectric Plant. 
Because of federal legislation specifically relating to Milltown, the Company
believes it has no responsibility for any of the alleged releases.  If the
Company should have some responsibility, it would have to share, together with
other responsible parties, the costs related to the handling of these toxic
substances.  While these costs have not been determined, the Company believes
that any portion which it might bear would not have a significant impact upon
its earnings.  

      The Company, along with others, has been named a PRP with respect to the
Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site.  The alleged contamination is soil
and groundwater contamination, for the most part, associated with decades of
copper mining in the area.  The PRPs have cooperated to summarize the data
that currently exists, to evaluate the useability of this existing data and to
determine additional data needs.  Studies to determine the extent of the
alleged contamination, and a proposal for removal or remediation of the
alleged contamination are not complete.  

      Regarding this superfund site, the Company has focused on its property
ownership and alleged contamination that may be attributed to that ownership. 
It has spent approximately $450,000 to investigate its property within the
site, collect data, evaluate studies and monitor its property.  Costs to clean
up this contamination, including sums spent in the studies mentioned above,
are not expected to exceed $1,000,000.  

      Other contamination at the Company's property within the site involves
heavy metals and substances which may be attributed to mining and activities
of others within the greater area of the site.  Neither the Company nor, to
the best of the Company's knowledge, any PRP or state or federal agency has
estimated the total cost of the potential clean-up of mining-related
contamination of either its property or other property within the site because
the extent of the contamination has not been established.  The Company intends
to deny any responsibility for costs associated with this contamination.

      The Company also is a PRP at a second site of soil contamination in
Montana, alleged to have resulted from the salvage of electric transformers by
a third party or parties who obtained the transformers from the Company.  The
state agency with jurisdiction over this site has recently determined that the
contamination is contained within the site, that temporary measures taken by
the Company to contain the contamination are effective, and that contamination
has not affected surface water.  Costs incurred by the Company are
approximately $500,000.  Additional costs are not expected to exceed $350,000. 

      The Company is a PRP at two sites in the State of Washington where
electric transformers were sent for salvage.  At one of the sites, the Company
believes it will qualify as a de minimis settlor.  At the second site,
pursuant to the terms of a Consent Decree, the Company is obligated to pay
approximately $350,000.  

      The Company has accrued the estimated minimum costs associated with
these matters.  The Company does not expect these costs to materially impact
the results of its operations.    
<PAGE>
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                                                                         Page 

Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements                      40 

Report of Independent Accountants                                         41 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended 
   December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991                                       42 

 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1993 and 1992           43-44

 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended 
   December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991                                       45 

 Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity for the 
   Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991                           46 

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                             47-74

Supplemental Financial Information (Unaudited)                          75-83

Financial Statement Schedules for the Years Ended December 31, 
 1993, 1992 and 1991:

 Schedule V - Property, Plant and Equipment                             89-94

 Schedule VI - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
               of Property, Plant and Equipment                         95-96

 Schedule VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves           97 

 Schedule IX - Short-term Borrowings                                      98 

 Schedule X - Supplementary Income Statement Information                  99 


Financial statement schedules not included in this Form 10-K Annual Report
have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information
is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.  

<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      The management of The Montana Power Company is responsible for the
preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements of the
Corporation.  These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles which are consistently applied, and
appropriate in the circumstances.  In preparing the financial statements,
management makes appropriate estimates and judgements based upon available
information.  Management also prepared the other financial information in the
annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the
financial statements.  

      Management maintains systems of internal accounting control which are
adequate to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are
accurate, in all material respects.  The concept of reasonable assurance
recognizes that there are inherent limitations in all systems of internal
control in that the costs of such systems should not exceed the benefits to be
derived.  Management believes the Company's systems provide this appropriate
balance.  

      The Company maintains an internal audit function that independently
assesses the effectiveness of the systems and recommends possible
improvements.  Price Waterhouse, the Company's independent public accountants,
also considered the systems in connection with its audit.  Management has
considered the internal auditors' and Price Waterhouse's recommendations
concerning the systems and has taken cost-effective actions to respond
appropriately to these recommendations.  

      The Board of Directors, acting through an Audit Committee composed
entirely of directors who are not employees of the Company, is responsible for
determining that management fulfills its responsibilities in the preparation
of the financial statements.  The Audit Committee recommends, and the Board of
Directors appoints, the independent public accountants.  The independent
accountants and internal auditors are assured of full and free access to the
Audit Committee and meet with it to discuss their audit work, the Company's
internal controls, financial reporting and other matters.  The Committee is
also responsible for determining that there is adherence to the Company's Code
of Business Conduct (Code).  The Code addresses, among other things, potential
conflicts of interests and compliance with laws, including those relating to
financial disclosure and the confidentiality of proprietary information.  

      The financial statements have been examined by Price Waterhouse, which
is responsible for conducting its examination in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards.  

<PAGE>
                       Report of Independent Accountants



To the Board of Directors
  and Shareholders of 
The Montana Power Company

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the
accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of The Montana Power Company and its subsidiaries at December 31,
1993 and 1992, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.  These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.  We
conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.  

As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than
pensions.  




PRICE WATERHOUSE


Portland, Oregon
February 10, 1994

<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Year Ended December 31      
                                                       1993        1992        1991   
                                                           Thousands of Dollars       
<S>                                              <C>            <C>         <C>
UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Operating Revenues:
    Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $   433,602$ 406,290$ 389,476 
    Natural gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         111,288   98,401   108,542 
                                                      544,890     504,691     498,018 
  Operating Expenses and Taxes:
    Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          207,362  191,650  178,368 
    Purchased gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          24,399   22,519    30,603 
    Fuel for electric generation . . . . . . . . .          33,338   38,253    35,476 
    Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          38,534   34,239    36,321 
    Depreciation and depletion . . . . . . . . . .          46,056   43,530    41,443 
    Taxes - other than income taxes. . . . . . . .          51,729   47,620    44,203 
    Income taxes (Note 4). . . . . . . . . . . . .     37,505      28,016      27,808 
                                                      438,923     405,827     394,222 
      Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    105,967      98,864     103,796 
  Other Income and Expense:
    Interest and dividend income and other . . . .          839     1,183       1,107 
    Income taxes applicable to other (Note 4). . .        141         789      (1,278)
                                                          980       1,972        (171)
  Interest Charges:
    Interest on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . .          44,359   46,014    47,829 
    Other interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,526       1,719       2,830 
                                                       46,885      47,733      50,659 

      Income From Utility Operations . . . . . . .     60,062      53,103      52,966 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    410,451     397,129     362,100 

  Costs and Expenses:
    Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          240,701  219,176   190,597 
    Taxes - other than income taxes. . . . . . . .          38,933   44,964    40,323 
    Depreciation and depletion . . . . . . . . . .          31,653   33,531    30,108 
    Selling, general and administrative. . . . . .          38,256   36,050    36,963 
    Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          2,284    2,144      1,776 
    Interest income and other - net. . . . . . . .          (5,829)(5,111)     (6,642)
    Income taxes (Note 4). . . . . . . . . . . . .     17,263      16,178      19,592 
                                                      363,261     346,932     312,717 

      Income From Entech Operations. . . . . . . .     47,190      50,197      49,383 

INDEPENDENT POWER GROUP OPERATIONS:
    Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    120,255      86,580      59,983 
    Expenses (including interest and income
      taxes; see Note 10). . . . . . . . . . . . .    120,296      82,815      56,617 
      Income from Independent Power Group 
        Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (41)      3,765       3,366 

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . .          107,211  107,065   105,715 
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK . . . . . . . . . . .      4,353       3,790       3,790 

NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR COMMON STOCK. . . . . . . $  102,858   $ 103,275  $  101,925 

AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (000).          52,040   51,126    50,317 

NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK . . . . . . . $     1.98   $    2.02  $     2.03 
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.  

<PAGE>
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                      The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries
                                        ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   December 31       
                                                               1993          1992    
                                                              Thousands of Dollars   
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>     
PLANT AND PROPERTY IN SERVICE:
  Utility plant (includes $38,966 and $20,826 plant 
    under construction):
      Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $  1,514,472  $  1,450,540
      Natural gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          428,956       403,757
                                                              1,943,428     1,854,297
  Less - accumulated depreciation and depletion. . . .          572,141       533,216
                                                              1,371,287     1,321,081
  Entech property (includes $2,446 and $4,930
    property under construction) . . . . . . . . . . .          526,692       482,732
  Less - accumulated depreciation and depletion. . . .          182,129       163,185
                                                                344,563       319,547

  Independent Power Group property (includes $84
    and $79 property under construction) . . . . . . .           70,198        69,805
  Less - accumulated depreciation. . . . . . . . . . .           16,822        15,090
                                                                 53,376        54,715
                                                              1,769,226     1,695,343

  MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENTS (at cost):
    Miscellaneous special funds  . . . . . . . . . . .            7,811        17,001
    Investment in cogeneration projects. . . . . . . .           45,494        44,827
    Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           51,492        53,647
                                                                104,797       115,475
  CURRENT ASSETS:
    Cash and temporary cash investments. . . . . . . .           11,604         8,879
    Accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          158,352       142,985
    Materials and supplies (principally at 
      average cost). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           42,728        41,753
    Prepayments and other assets . . . . . . . . . . .           44,425        51,334
                                                                257,109       244,951
  DEFERRED CHARGES:
    Advanced coal royalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . .           20,905        19,035
    Costs deferred to future operating periods . . . .          185,151       166,982
    Other deferred charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           48,839        43,636
                                                                254,895       229,653
                                                           $  2,386,027  $  2,285,422

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

<PAGE>
                                      LIABILITIES



                                                                  December 31        
                                                               1993          1992    
                                                             Thousands of Dollars    
CAPITALIZATION:
  Common shareholders' equity:
    Common stock (120,000,000 shares without par 
      value authorized; 52,498,896 and 51,548,945
      shares issued) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $    642,926  $   618,009 
    Retained earnings and other shareholders' equity .          302,725      284,980 
    Unallocated stock held by trustee for Deferred 
      Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. . . .          (34,419)     (36,098)
                                                                911,232      866,891 

  Preferred stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          101,419       51,984 
  Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          571,870      581,179 
                                                              1,584,521    1,500,054 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Short-term borrowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           68,865       63,300 
  Long-term debt-portion due within one year . . . . .           26,199       37,382 
  Dividends payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           22,835       21,322 
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            4,927       13,282 
  Other taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           43,743       41,436 
  Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           55,794       48,873 
  Interest accrued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           11,942       15,819 
  Other current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . .           79,162       83,446 
                                                                313,467      324,860 

DEFERRED CREDITS:
  Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          309,780      288,098 
  Investment tax credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           50,476       52,256 
  Accrued mining reclamation costs . . . . . . . . . .          101,817       91,887 
  Other deferred credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           25,966       28,267 
                                                                488,039      460,508 

CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Notes 2 and 3)


                                                           $  2,386,027  $ 2,285,422 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                      The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Year Ended December 31        
                                                    1993         1992         1991    
                                                           Thousands of Dollars       
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $  107,211   $  107,065   $  105,715 
  Noncash charges (credits) to net income:
    Depreciation and depletion . . . . . . .         80,859       79,049       71,996 
    Mining reclamation costs expensed. . . .         19,410       21,081       17,069 
    Amortization of loss on long-term
      sales of power . . . . . . . . . . . .         (5,251)      (9,026)     (18,833)
    Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . .         15,701       (4,082)       4,605 
    Collection of accrued revenues from
      utility rate-moderation plans. . . . .                      16,221       28,271 
    Other-net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         16,507       26,525       25,110 
  Changes in other assets and liabilities. .        (33,099)     (11,259)     (36,123)
  Accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . . . .        (15,367)      (4,614)       1,432 
  Materials and supplies . . . . . . . . . .           (975)        (694)      (6,795)
  Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . .          6,922        2,387        7,511 
  Payment of mining reclamation costs. . . .         (9,481)     (11,572)      (6,254)

    Net Cash Flows From Operating 
      Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        182,437      211,081      193,704 

Net Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Miscellaneous special funds. . . . . . . .          9,190       17,303        1,452 
  Gross additions to property and plant. . .       (177,512)    (138,778)    (167,692)
  Investments in other operations. . . . . .         (3,910)     (21,045)     (20,991)
  Sales of property. . . . . . . . . . . . .         24,924       12,282       20,077 
  Additional investments . . . . . . . . . .          4,014         (255)      (7,552)

    Net Cash Flows From Investing 
      Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (143,294)    (130,493)    (174,706)

Net Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Sales of common stock. . . . . . . . . . .         24,917       21,949       14,944 
  Issuance of long-term debt . . . . . . . .        294,149       37,862      201,123 
  Retirement of long-term debt . . . . . . .       (316,714)     (58,755)    (169,058)
  Short-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . .          5,565        6,000       (6,200)
  Notes payable - cogeneration projects. . .         (6,716)        (210)      14,436 
  Dividends on common and preferred stock. .        (87,054)     (83,209)     (78,114)
  Issuance of preferred stock. . . . . . . .         49,435                           

    Net Cash Flows From Financing 
      Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (36,418)     (76,363)     (22,869)

      Change in Cash Flows . . . . . . . . .          2,725        4,225       (3,871)

  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
    of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          8,879        4,654        8,525 

  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year .     $   11,604   $    8,879    $   4,654 


Supplemental Disclosures of Cash 
  Flow Information: 

  Cash Paid During Year For:
    Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $   46,533   $   39,260  $    46,226 
    Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         53,541       45,894       57,499 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.  
</TABLE>
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                      The Montana Power Company and Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Year Ended December 31         
                                               1993          1992          1991    
                                                    Thousands of Dollars           

Common Stock:
<S>                                        <C>           <C>           <C> 
  Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . $   618,009   $   596,060   $   581,116 
  Issuances (949,951; 891,581; 
    and 699,214 shares). . . . . . . . . .      24,917        21,949        14,944 

  Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . .     642,926       618,009       596,060 

Retained Earnings and Other Shareholders' 
  Equity:

  Balance at beginning of year . . . . . .     284,980       266,541       240,405 
  Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     107,211       107,065       105,715 
  Dividends on common stock ($1.585; $1.55;
    and $1.495 per share). . . . . . . . .     (82,701)      (79,420)      (75,345)
  Dividends on preferred stock . . . . . .      (4,353)       (3,790)       (3,790)
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (2,412)       (5,416)         (444)

  Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . .     302,725       284,980       266,541 

Unallocated Stock Held by Trustee for  
  Deferred Savings and Employee Stock 
  Ownership Plan:

  Balance at beginning of year . . . . . .     (36,098)      (37,631)      (39,031)
  Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,679         1,533         1,400 

  Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . .     (34,419)      (36,098)      (37,631)

Total Common Shareholders' Equity at 
  End of Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $   911,232   $   866,891   $   824,970 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies:  

      The Company's accounting policies conform to generally accepted
accounting principles.  With respect to utility operations, such policies are
in accordance with the accounting requirements and ratemaking practices of the
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction.  

Principles of consolidation:  

      The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the
Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned.  The Independent
Power Group (IPG) includes the Company's Colstrip Unit 4 operations.  The
Utility and the IPG purchase coal from Western Energy Company, and sell and
purchase electricity to and from each other.  In addition, the Utility sells
electricity and natural gas to the Entech businesses located within the
Utility's service area.  Entech sells natural gas to the Utility and to
independent power projects in which the IPG has an ownership interest. 
Finally, a subsidiary of the IPG provides maintenance services to the
Utility's power plants, and operation and maintenance services to the
independent power projects mentioned above.  Intercompany sales and purchases
between the Utility, Entech, and the IPG are included in the Consolidated
Statement of Income as revenues and expenses.  See Note 10 for details.  

      All other significant intercompany items have been eliminated.  

Plant and property:  

      Additions to and replacement of plant and property are recorded at
original cost, which includes material, labor, overhead and contracted
services.  Cost includes interest capitalized and, with respect to utility
plant, also includes an allowance for funds used during construction.  Gas in
underground storage is included in natural gas utility plant.  Maintenance and
repairs of plant and property, and replacements and renewals of items
determined to be smaller than established units of plant, are charged to
operating expenses.  The cost of units of utility plant retired or otherwise
disposed of, adjusted for removal costs and salvage, is charged to the
accumulated provision for depreciation and depletion, and the cost of related
replacements and renewals is added to utility plant.  Gain or loss is
recognized upon the sale or other disposition of Entech property, Independent
Power Group property and Utility land.  

      Provisions for depreciation and depletion are recorded at amounts
substantially equivalent to calculations made on straight-line and
unit-of-production methods by application of various rates based on useful
lives of properties determined from engineering studies.  The provisions for
utility depreciation and depletion approximated 2.7% for 1993, 1992, and 1991
of the depreciable and depletable utility plant at the beginning of the year. 

      The Company and its subsidiaries have adopted two methods of accounting
for oil and gas exploration and development costs.  Entech's Oil Division uses
the successful efforts method.  The regulated natural gas utility capitalizes
all costs associated with the successful development of a natural gas well and
expenses those costs incurred on an unsuccessful well.  

      The Company is a joint-owner of Colstrip Units 1, 2, and 3 and of
transmission facilities serving these Units.  At December 31, 1993, the
Company's joint ownership percentage and investment in these Units and
transmission facilities were:  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        Units                    Transmission
                                        1 & 2        Unit 3       Facilities  
                                              Thousands of Dollars
<S>                                  <C>           <C>             <C>
Ownership. . . . . . . . . . . .            50%           30%             30%*
Plant in service . . . . . . . .     $ 177,340     $ 279,706       $  56,971
Plant under construction . . . .           218            88               0
Accumulated depreciation . . . .        75,426        77,913          10,063
</TABLE>
     *This is an approximate ownership percentage.  The ownership percentages
are generally based on capacity rights on the various segments of the
transmission system. 

     The Company also owns $35,216,000 and $32,953,000 of the Colstrip Unit 4
share of common production plant and transmission plant that had related
accumulated depreciation of $10,377,000 and $5,258,000, respectively.  

     Each joint-owner provides its own financing.  The Company's share of
direct expenses associated with the operation and maintenance of these joint
facilities is included in the corresponding operating expenses in the
Consolidated Statement of Income.  

Utility revenue and expense recognition:  

     Operating revenues are recorded on the basis of service rendered.

     In 1985, the Public Service Commission of Montana (PSC) and the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved annual electric rate increases in
the amounts of $80,400,000 and $7,500,000, respectively, to be collected in
accordance with rate-moderation plans.  During 1992 and 1991, cash collected
under these plans exceeded revenues recorded by $12,462,000 and $23,133,000,
respectively.  As of October 1992, all deferred revenues under the plans had
been collected.  

     Costs of service are recognized on the accrual basis and charged to
expense currently except for natural gas costs deferred pursuant to PSC-
approved deferred gas accounting procedures and other costs deferred pursuant
to regulatory decisions which are discussed in the following paragraph of this
note. 

Costs deferred to future operating periods:  

     As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 109 in 1992, the Company must
recognize a deferred tax liability for certain temporary differences that were
not previously required to be provided.  A corresponding asset of $142,123,000
and $137,700,000 has been recorded at December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively
and is classified as a cost deferred to future operating periods.  See the
Income Taxes section of this note for further information on the effects of
the adoption of SFAS No. 109.

Cash and cash equivalents:

     For the purposes of these financial statements, the Company considers all
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.

Allowance for funds used during construction:  

     The Company capitalizes, as a part of the cost of utility plant, an
allowance for the cost of equity and borrowed funds required to finance
construction work in progress.  The rate used to compute the allowance is
determined in accordance with a formula established by the FERC and was an
average of 6.5% for 1993, 7.3% for 1992, and 8.4% for 1991.  The Company
capitalized an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of
$1,372,000, $1,255,000, and $1,181,000 for 1993, 1992, and 1991, respectively.

Income taxes:

     The Company and its U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. income tax
return.  Consolidated U.S. income taxes are allocated to Utility, Entech, and
IPG operations as if separate U.S. income tax returns were filed.  The
difference, if any, between such amounts and the consolidated U.S. income tax
expense is included in utility operations - income taxes applicable to other
income.  Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences
between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's
assets and liabilities.

     In 1992, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which required a change to the asset
and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Under this method,
deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed using the tax rates that are
expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse.  For
regulated companies, the changes in tax rates applied to accumulated deferred
income taxes may not be immediately recognized because of regulatory
practices.  For non-regulated companies, the effect on deferred taxes of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.

     The Company elected to report the cumulative effect of the change in the
method of accounting for income taxes as of January 1, 1987.  The cumulative
effect of the accounting change was $5,900,000 and was recorded as a reduction
in Common Shareholders' Equity.  

     Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 109, deferred income taxes were not
provided for certain Utility Operations' temporary differences pursuant to
regulatory practices.  Now the Company must recognize a deferred tax liability
for these temporary differences in the amount of $142,123,000 and $137,700,000
as of December 31, 1993, and 1992, respectively.  Because of regulatory
precedent and the Company's intent to request rate recovery of these amounts
in the future, a corresponding asset has been recorded and is classified as a
cost deferred to future operating periods.  

Net income per share of common stock:

     Net income per share of common stock is computed for each year based upon
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  The effect of
options outstanding under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan is not
significant (see Note 5).

Financial instruments:

     All of the Company's significant financial instruments were recognized in
the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1993.  The value reflected
in the Consolidated Balance Sheet (carrying value) approximates fair value for
the Company's financial assets and current liabilities.  Descriptions of the
methods and assumptions used to reach this conclusion are as follows:

     Miscellaneous special funds, cash and temporary cash investments, and
     current liabilities:  These financial instruments have short maturities,
     or are invested in financial instruments with short maturities.

     Investment in cogeneration projects and other investments:  The carrying
     value equals cash surrender value, or approximates the present value of
     future cash flows, discounted using a market rate of return.   

     The fair value of the Company's long-term debt, based on quoted market
prices for the same or similar issues or by discounting future cash flows
using interest rates that could be obtained currently, exceeds carrying value
by approximately 6.7%.  This is because the average interest rate of the
Company's debt exceeds the rate which could be obtained currently.  The
Company refinances the debt that is callable when associated benefits exceed
costs, and when the Company believes it is an opportunistic time to do so.  

Reclassifications:  

     Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts to
make them comparable to the 1993 presentation.  These changes had no impact on
previously reported results of operations or shareholders' equity.  

<PAGE>
NOTE 2 - Contingencies:  

     The Company's hydroelectric projects are operated under licenses issued
by the FERC, which expire on varying dates from 1994 to 2035.  When a license
expires, it may be reissued to the Company, issued to a new licensee or the
facility may be taken over by the United States.  In either of the last two
events, the Company would be entitled to compensation equivalent to its net
investment in the project plus severance damages.  In determining net
investment in the project, the licenses provide that there may be deducted the
amount contained in an appropriated retained earnings account, which shall be
accumulated from a portion of the amount earned in excess of a specified
reasonable rate of return after 20 years of operation under the license.  At
December 31, 1993, the amount of these appropriated retained earnings relating
to the Company's hydroelectric projects as computed by the Company is
estimated to be $6,238,000.  The Board of Directors has appropriated retained
earnings in the same amount for this purpose, thereby restricting their
availability for dividend purposes.  

     Under a joint 50-year license with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes (Tribes), the Company will own and operate the Kerr Hydroelectric
project until September 2015.  The Tribes may take over the project anytime
between 2015 and 2025 on one year's written notice in return for payment equal
to the Company's remaining net investment.  The Company pays the Tribes an
annual rental fee that is adjusted yearly to reflect changes in the Consumer
Price Index.  

     In 1990, the Company filed with the FERC a plan to mitigate damages to
and manage fish and wildlife habitat impacted by the operation of the Kerr
Hydroelectric Project.  The Management and Mitigation Plan (Plan) was prepared
pursuant to the joint license issued by the FERC to the Company and the
Tribes.  It consists of a one-time payment by the Company of $15,418,000 and
annual payments of $965,000 allocated between the Tribes and various groups. 
The annual payments would be adjusted annually on the basis of the Consumer
Price Index.  Additionally, the Secretary of Interior may impose certain
conditions pertaining to fish and wildlife.  While the Company cannot predict
when or in what form the Plan finally will be approved, it expects that the
cost of mitigation measures will be recovered through rates and, therefore,
will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.  

     In November 1992, the Company filed with FERC its application to
relicense nine Madison and Missouri River hydroelectric facilities with
electric generating capacity totaling 292 megawatts.  The application, in
preparation since 1989, proposes an additional 74 megawatts of generation. 
The total capital investment of relicensing, including physical improvements,
environmental protection, mitigation and enhancement measures, is estimated at
$167,600,000.  Additional costs for operational changes, as well as annual
payments for environmental protection, mitigation and enhancement, are
estimated to be about $5,400,000 per year.  The Company expects that the
relicensing costs will be recovered through rates and, therefore, will not
have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.  

     The owners of homes in two residential developments in Colstrip, Montana,
which were built for the Colstrip Units 3 and 4 Project have made claims
against the Company and the other owners of the Colstrip Units 3 and 4 for
property damages to their homes allegedly caused by soil-related subsidence. 
The Company has settled all of these claims.  The other Colstrip 3 and 4
owners have denied responsibility for a substantial part of the settlement
costs on the ground that the Company exceeded its authority in settling the
claims.  The amount in controversy is not expected to exceed $5,000,000.  The
Company is pursuing resolution and it is uncertain whether it will ultimately
pay more than its proportionate share of the settlement costs.  

     Other property owners in Colstrip also have made claims against the
Company and the other Colstrip Units' owners for property damages allegedly
resulting from soil-related subsidence.  The Company has not determined the
magnitude of such alleged damages or the responsibility, if any, of the
Colstrip owners.  While the resolution of these claims is uncertain, the
Company believes they will not have a materially adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.  

     A Rosebud Mine coal supply agreement provides for periodic price
redetermination over the life of the contract.  The first date under the
contract that a price redetermination could have occurred was August 1,1991. 
Negotiations to redetermine the coal price have been unsuccessful and an
arbitration proceeding has been scheduled to commence in October, 1994. 
Through December 31, 1993, 6,923,000 tons, of which 3,466,000 tons were
delivered to the Company, have been delivered and are subject to a
redetermined price.  The price change, if any, from this arbitration is not
expected to have a materially adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations.  
<PAGE>
NOTE 3 - Commitments:

     The Company purchases approximately 600 million kWh annually under an
Exchange Agreement with the Washington Public Power Supply System and the
Bonneville Power Administration which expires in 1996.  The rate is 4.6 cents
per kWh in the contract year which began in July 1993 and will increase each
subsequent contract year to approximately 4.8 cents per kWh in the final
contract year beginning July 1995.  In 1993, the Company entered into a
contract to purchase 98 megawatts of seasonal capacity from Basin Electric
Power Cooperative beginning in 1996.  The rate, including the capacity charge,
will be approximately 3.3 cents per kWh in the contract year beginning in
November 1996 and will increase each subsequent year to approximately
7.1 cents per kWh in the final contract year which begins in November 2009.  

     The Company also has long-term purchase contracts with certain
independent power producers and natural gas producers.  The purchased power
contracts, including the Basin Electric contract discussed above, provide for
capacity payments subject to a facility meeting certain operating standards,
and payments based on energy received.  The purchased gas contracts provide
for take-or-pay payments.  The Entech Oil Division has various natural gas
transportation contracts with terms that expire beginning in 1998.

     Total payments under these contracts for the prior three years were as
follows:

                                                Thousands of Dollars       

                        Years          Electric    Natural Gas      Entech 
                 1991. . . . . . .    $  15,553    $    18,422     $    713
                 1992. . . . . . .       18,143         12,496        1,938
                 1993. . . . . . .       18,434         11,633        2,260

      The present value of future minimum payments, at an assumed discount
rate of 8%, under the above agreements are estimated as follows:

                                                Thousands of Dollars       

                        Years          Electric    Natural Gas      Entech 
                 1994. . . . . . .    $   3,882    $    12,164     $  2,976
                 1995. . . . . . .        4,280          9,560        2,199
                 1996. . . . . . .        7,576          7,321        2,021
                 1997. . . . . . .       10,328          6,026        1,664
                 1998. . . . . . .       10,296          3,308        1,521
                 Remainder. . . ..      150,085          8,064        8,658
                   Total . . . . .    $ 186,447    $    46,443     $ 19,039

      In 1993, the Company entered into contracts for the construction of a
second powerhouse at the Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Plant.  In 1993,
expenditures for the project were $9,000,000, while the total costs for the
next three years are expected to be $51,000,000.  

      An Entech Coal Division coal lease purchase agreement requires minimum
annual payments beginning in 1991 of $1,125,000 escalated quarterly by the
Gross National Product implicit price deflator.  These payments will continue
until the equivalent of $18,750,000, in 1986 dollars, has been paid.  At
December 31, 1993, the remaining payments under this agreement were
$14,349,000.  A similar agreement requires minimum annual payments of
$1,000,000 through 1995.  Under current mine plans, the payments made through
December 1993 should be recovered.  

      In 1990, a patented coal enhancement process developed by the Entech
Coal Division was selected for funding under the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) Clean Coal Technology Program.  The Entech Coal Division and a
subsidiary of Northern States Power are partners in a five-year, $69,000,000
coal enhancement demonstration plant at Colstrip, Montana.  DOE is funding 50%
and the partners share equally in the remaining 50% of the cost of the
project.  The Division's remaining commitment at December 31, 1993, was
$5,100,000. 

      The Entech Oil Division has agreed to supply 174 Bcf of natural gas to
four cogeneration facilities over 15 years.  The Oil Division has sufficient
proven, developed and undeveloped reserves, and controls related sales of
production sufficient to supply all of the remaining natural gas required by
these agreements.

      The Entech Oil Division owns a 50% interest in a natural gas marketing
company.  Entech has agreed to guarantee the performance by the marketing
company of $4,300,000 in transportation and purchase contracts.  The
guaranteed amounts outstanding were $3,400,000 at December 31, 1993.

      Rental expense for the prior three years was as follows:  

                                        1993          1992          1991   
                                              Thousands of Dollars

Colstrip Unit 4. . . .              $    32,226    $   32,226    $   32,226
Kerr project . . . . .                   11,837        11,486        11,027
Other. . . . . . . . .                   11,917        11,985        13,452
                                    $    55,980    $   55,697    $   56,705

     In addition, operating expenses include delay rentals paid by the Company
to retain mineral rights before development of leased acreage.  Delay rentals
were $1,021,000, $999,000, and $1,000,000 in 1993, 1992, and 1991,
respectively.

Leases:

     The Company classifies leases as operating or capitalized leases. 
Capitalized leases are not material and are included in other long-term debt. 
On December 30, 1985, the Company sold its 30% share of Colstrip Unit 4 and is
leasing back this share under a net lease.  The transaction has been accounted
for as an operating lease with semiannual lease payments of approximately
$16,113,000 over the remaining term of the 25-year lease.

     At December 31, 1993, the Company's future minimum operating lease
payments are as follows:

                                                        Thousands of
              Year                                         Dollars  

           1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            $     34,833
           1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  34,492
           1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  34,362
           1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  34,216
           1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  34,301
           Remainder . . . . . . . . . . . .                 393,459
               Total . . . . . . . . . . . .            $    565,663

<PAGE>
NOTE 4 - Income tax expense:  

      Income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992
and 1991 was as follows:

                                             1993        1992        1991   
                                                  Thousands of Dollars 

Utility Operations:
      United States.....................  $   94,247  $   77,752  $   75,872
      Canada............................       2,340       1,395       5,073

                                              96,587      79,147      80,945

Other Income and Expense:
      United States.....................         230       1,497       1,061
      Canada............................         609        (314)         46

                                                 839       1,183       1,107

Entech Operations:
      United States.....................      58,611      61,409      71,640
      Canada............................       5,842       4,966      (2,665)
                                              64,453      66,375      68,975

Independent Power Group Operations:  
      United States....................         (548)      5,999       5,082
                                          $  161,331  $  152,704  $  156,109

<PAGE>
      Income tax expense as shown in the Consolidated Statement of Income
consists of the following components:  

                                             1993        1992        1991   
                                                   Thousands of Dollars

Utility Operations:
   Current
      United States.....................  $   23,519  $   24,563  $   24,104
      Canada............................       1,121         879       2,044
      State.............................       4,903       4,999       5,370
   Deferred
      United States.....................       6,902      (1,593)     (2,507)
      Canada............................          80        (191)       (262)
      State.............................         980        (641)       (941)
                                              37,505      28,016      27,808

Other Income and Expense:
   Current
      United States.....................      (2,281)      1,139         655
      State.............................        (302)        141         181
   Deferred
      United States.....................       2,410      (1,865)        694
      State.............................          32        (204)       (252)
                                                (141)       (789)      1,278

Entech Operations:
   Current
      United States.....................      14,090      14,703      18,180
      Canada............................       2,114       2,283         814
      State.............................       2,098       3,442       1,905
   Deferred
      United States.....................      (1,619)     (3,093)     (1,322)
      Canada............................         294          (9)         10
      State.............................         286      (1,148)          5
                                              17,263      16,178      19,592

Independent Power Group Operations:  
   Current
      United States.....................      (4,289)     (2,153)     (6,286)
      State.............................      (3,177)       (275)     (1,178)
   Deferred
      United States.....................       5,971       3,905       7,645
      State.............................         988         757       1,535
                                                (507)      2,234       1,716
                                          $   54,120  $   45,639  $   50,394

<PAGE>
      Deferred tax liabilities (assets) are comprised of the following at
December 31:  
                                             1993         1992   
                                           Thousands of Dollars

Plant Related.........................    $  372,236   $  353,900
Investment in nonutility generation
  projects............................        16,370       13,904
Other.................................        16,260       11,622

Gross deferred tax liabilities........       404,866      379,426

Coal reclamation......................       (37,321)     (33,005)
Amortization of gain on sale/ 
  leaseback...........................       (18,090)     (19,295)
Investment Tax Credit Amortization....       (32,801)     (33,958)
Other.................................       (14,937)     (13,409)

Gross deferred tax assets.............      (103,149)     (99,667)
Net deferred tax liabilities (assets).       301,717      279,759

Current deferred tax assets...........         8,063        8,339

Total noncurrent deferred tax 
   liabilities(assets)...............     $  309,780   $  288,098

      The change in net deferred liabilities differs from current year
deferred tax expense as a result of the following:

                                                               Thousands of
                                                                  Dollars  
     Increase (decrease) in total noncurrent deferred tax
       liabilities (assets)..............................      $     21,682
     Costs deferred to future operating periods..........            (4,991)
     Other...............................................              (367)
       Deferred Tax Expense..............................      $     16,324

      The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax
determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate
to pretax income as a result of the following differences:  

                                              1993        1992        1991   
                                                    Thousands of Dollars

Computed "expected" income tax expense..   $  56,466   $   51,919  $   53,077

Adjustments for tax effects of:

   Statutory depletion in
      coal mining operations............      (3,775)      (5,920)     (5,972)
   General business and nonconventional
      fuel tax credits..................      (4,496)      (3,723)     (2,201)
   State income tax, net................       4,704        3,332       4,890
   Reversal of excess of U.S. utility
      income tax depreciation over
      financial accounting 
      depreciation on utility plant
      additions.........................       2,281        1,987       2,535

   Other................................      (1,060)      (1,956)     (1,935)

Actual income tax expense...............   $  54,120   $   45,639  $   50,394

      During 1993, the federal income tax rate increased from 34% to 35%.  The
following table summarizes the increased income taxes that resulted.  


                                                        Thousands of Dollars

        Utility Operations . . . . . . . . . . . .            $  1,072
        Entech Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . .                 867
        Independent Power Group Operations . . . .                 749

                                                              $  2,688

<PAGE>
NOTE 5 - Common stock:  

      At December 31, 1993 and 1992, the Company had 120,000,000 shares of
authorized common stock.  The Company has a Shareholder Protection Rights Plan
which provides one preferred share purchase right (Right) on each outstanding
common share of the Company.  Each Right entitles the registered holder, upon
the occurrence of certain events, to purchase from the Company one
one-hundredth of a share of Participating Preferred Shares, A Series, without
par value.  If it should become exercisable, each Right would have economic
terms similar to one share of common stock of the Company.  The Rights trade
with the underlying shares and will, except under certain circumstances
described in the Plan, expire on June 6, 1999, unless earlier redeemed or
exchanged by the Company.  

      The Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan allows
owners of common and preferred stock, as well as Montana utility customers, to
reinvest the dividends paid on their common and preferred stock to purchase
shares of common stock.  Participants in the plan may also elect to invest by
purchasing up to $15,000 per quarter of common stock.  

      The Company has a Deferred Savings and Employee Stock Ownership
Plan (Plan) that covers all regular eligible employees.  The Company, on
behalf of the employee, contributes a percentage of the amount contributed to
the Plan by the employee.  In 1990, the Company borrowed $40,000,000 at an
interest rate of 9.2% to be repaid in equal annual installments over 15 years. 
The proceeds of the loan were lent on similar terms to the Plan Trustee, which
purchased 1,922,297 shares of Company common stock.  The loan, which is
reflected as long-term debt, is offset by a similar amount in common
shareholders' equity as unallocated stock.  Company contributions plus the
dividends on the shares held under the Plan are used to meet principal and
interest payments on the loan.  Shares acquired with loan proceeds are
allocated to Plan participants.  As principal payments on the loans are made,
long-term debt and the offset in common shareholders' equity are both reduced. 
At December 31, 1993, 482,387 shares had been allocated to the participants'
accounts.  

      Expense for the Plan is recognized using the Shares Allocated Method,
and consists of the following for the three years ended December 31, 1993:
  
                                                 1993       1992       1991 

                                                    Thousands of Dollars

     Principal allocated....................   $  2,663   $  2,683   $  2,672
     Interest incurred......................      3,275      3,448      3,557
     Dividends..............................     (3,028)    (2,965)    (2,843)
     Additional contribution................      2,310      1,765      1,290

          Total Expense.....................   $  5,220    $ 4,931   $  4,676

      The Company's amount of Plan costs funded, which currently is less than
the aforementioned expense amounts, is included in utility rates. 
Accordingly, the difference of $758,000, $694,000 and $892,000 for the years
ending December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively, were recorded as a
reduction of Plan expense.  

      Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, options have been issued to Company
employees.  Options issued to Utility employees are not reflected in balance
sheet accounts until exercised, at which time (i) authorized, but unissued
shares are issued to the employee, (ii) the capital stock account is credited
with the proceeds, and (iii) no charges or credits to income are made. 
Options issued to Entech and IPG employees are not reflected in balance sheet
accounts.  Rather, upon exercise, outstanding shares are purchased at current
market prices and compensation expense is charged with the excess of the
market price over the option price.  

      Option activity is summarized below.  

                                     Number              Option Price
                                    Of Shares             Per Share    

       Outstanding
           December 31, 1990          436,642        $11.4375 - 20.0625
              Granted                 372,600         22.125  - 26.50
              Exercised              (128,930)        11.4375 - 22.125
              Cancelled               (22,865)        14.25   - 22.125

       Outstanding
           December 31, 1991          657,447        $11.4375 - 26.50
              Granted                     -          
              Exercised              (116,905)        11.4375 - 22.125
              Cancelled                (4,457)        11.4375 - 22.125

       Outstanding
           December 31, 1992          536,085        $14.25   - 26.50
              Granted                     -          
              Exercised              (118,243)        14.25   - 26.50
              Cancelled                (5,532)        14.25   - 26.50

       Outstanding
           December 31, 1993          412,310        $14.25   - 26.50

       Options Exercisable at
           December 31, 1993          412,310        

      Options were granted at not less than the closing price on the New York
Stock Exchange on the date granted, and generally become exercisable after two
years.  Options granted prior to January 1, 1987 must be exercised in the
order granted.  All options expire ten years from the date of grant.  

<PAGE>
NOTE 6 - Preferred stock:  

      The number of authorized shares of preferred stock is 5,000,000. No
dividends may be declared or paid on common stock while cumulative dividends
have not either been declared and set apart or paid on any of the preferred
stock.  

      In November 1993, the Company sold $50,000,000 of the $6.875 series of
Preferred Stock, stated value and liquidation value $100.  The net proceeds
from the sale were used to repay short-term debt.  The stock is redeemable at
the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after
November 1, 2003.  

      Preferred stock, as shown in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, is in four 
series as detailed in the following table:  

                                  Shares            Amount   
                                Issued and       Thousands of
                    Series      Outstanding         Dollars  

                    $6.875          500,000       $   50,000 
                     6.00           159,589           15,959
                     4.20            60,000            6,025
                     2.15         1,200,000           30,000
                                  1,919,589       $  101,984

      The stated value and liquidation price of preferred shares is $100 for
the $6.875 series, the $6.00 series and the $4.20 series and $25 for the
$2.15 series, plus accumulated dividends.  The preferred stock is redeemable
at the option of the Company upon the written consent or affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the common shares on thirty days notice at
$110 per share for the $6.00 series, $103 per share for the $4.20 series and
$25.25 per share for the $2.15 series, plus accumulated dividends.  The $6.875
series is redeemable in whole or in part, at anytime on or after November 1,
2003 for a price beginning at $103.438 per share with annual decrements
through the year 2013, after which the redemption price is $100 per share.  

<PAGE>
NOTE 7 - Long-term debt:  

      Long-term debt consists of the following:  
                                                           December 31      
                                                       1993          1992   
                                                      Thousands of Dollars
First Mortgage Bonds:
    7.7% series, due 1999......................     $   55,000    $   55,000
    7 1/2% series, due 2001....................         25,000        25,000
    8 5/8% series, due 2004....................                       60,000
    7% series, due 2005........................         50,000
    8 1/4% series, due 2007....................         55,000        55,000
    8.95% series, due 2022.....................         50,000        50,000
    Secured Medium-Term Notes..................         43,000
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds:
  County of Rosebud, Montana
    5 3/4% series, due 2003....................                       18,545
    6.3% series, due 2007......................                        7,000
  City of Forsyth, Montana
    10% series, due 2004.......................                       40,000
    10 1/8% series, due 2014...................                       40,000
    Variable rate series, due 2014.............                       39,660
    Adjustable rate series, due 2014...........                       25,000
    6 1/8% series, due 2023....................         90,205
    5.9% series, due 2023......................         80,000    
Sinking Fund Debentures:
    7 1/2%, due 1998...........................         17,500        18,000
Revolving Credit Agreements:
    Entech.....................................                       12,000
ESOP Notes Payable, due 2004...................         33,850        35,596
Medium-Term Notes, Series A....................         67,250       100,000
Long-Term Commercial Paper.....................         20,000        20,000
Other..........................................         15,144        20,917
Unamortized Discount and Premium..........              (3,880)       (3,157)
                                                       598,069       618,561
Less:  Portion due within one year.............         26,199        37,382
                                                    $  571,870    $  581,179

First Mortgage Bonds:

      The Company's Mortgage and Deed of Trust imposes a first mortgage lien
on all physical properties owned, exclusive of subsidiary company assets, and
certain property and assets specifically excepted.  The obligations
collateralized are First Mortgage Bonds, including those First Mortgage Bonds
securing Pollution Control Revenue Bonds, in the aggregate principal amount of
$448,200,000 at December 31, 1993.  

      In February 1993, the Company sold $50,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds,
7% series due 2005, and $13,000,000 of Secured Medium-Term Notes, 7.25% series
due 2008.  The proceeds of these sales were used to redeem $60,000,000 of
First Mortgage Bonds, 8 5/8% series due 2004.  

<PAGE>
Secured Medium-Term Notes:

      These notes constitute a series of First Mortgage Bonds.  On January 26,
1993, the Company sold $22,000,000 of Medium-Term Notes, $15,000,000 of the
8.11% series due 2023 and $7,000,000 of the 7.23% series due 2003.  Another
$8,000,000 of the 7.23% series due 2003 was sold on January 28, 1993.  The
proceeds of these issues were used to repay Long-Term Commercial Paper and
other long-term bank debt outstanding.

      In February 1993, the Company sold $13,000,000 of Secured Medium-Term
Notes, 7.25% series due 2008.  As previously mentioned, the proceeds of this
sale were used to redeem $60,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds, 8 5/8% series
due 2004.  

      On January 19, 1994, the Company sold $5,000,000 of Secured Medium-Term
Notes, 7.25% series due 2024, the proceeds of which were used to repay short-
term debt incurred to complete the refinancing of the 10% and 10 1/8% series
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds.  

Pollution Control Revenue Bonds:  

      In June 1993, the City of Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana, sold
$90,205,000 of its 6 1/8% Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds due 2023,
the principal of, and interest on, which the Company is obligated to pay.  The
proceeds from the sale of these Bonds were loaned to the Company and used to
redeem, prior to maturity, $18,545,000 of Rosebud County's 5 3/4% Pollution
Control Revenue Bonds due 2003, $7,000,000 of the County's 6.3% Pollution
Control Revenue Bonds due 2007, $39,660,000 of the City of Forsyth's Variable
Rate Pollution Control Revenue Bonds due 2014 and $25,000,000 of the City's
Adjustable Rate Pollution Control Revenue Bonds due 2014, the principal of,
and interest on, all of which the Company was obligated to pay.  

      On December 30, 1993, the City of Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana, sold
$80,000,000 of its 5.9% Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds due 2023,
the principal of, and interest on, which the Company is obligated to pay.  The
proceeds from the sale of these Bonds were loaned to the Company and used to
redeem, prior to maturity, $40,000,000 of the City of Forsyth's 10% Pollution
Control Revenue Bonds due 2004, $40,000,000 of the City's 10 1/8% Pollution
Control Revenue Bonds due 2014, the principal of, and interest on, all of
which the Company was obligated to pay.  Although not redeemed until
January 1, 1994, the 10% and 10 1/8% series were considered to be retired on
December 30, 1993 for financial reporting purposes, since the Company had
placed funds on deposit with the trustee at year end to cover all costs
associated with the redemption of these bonds.  Accordingly, the funds held by
the trustee and the bonds do not appear on the December 31, 1993 Consolidated
Balance Sheet.  

Revolving Credit Agreements:  

      The Company has a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement that allows
it to borrow up to $60,000,000, all of which was unused at December 31, 1993. 
Under the agreement, borrowings outstanding at October 31, 1995, must be
repaid in eight quarterly installments beginning in January 1996.

      Entech has a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement with a group of
banks that allows it to borrow up to $75,000,000, all of which  was unused at
December 31, 1993.  Under the agreement, borrowings outstanding at
September 30, 1994 must be repaid in eight quarterly installments beginning in
December 1994.  

      Fixed or variable interest rate options are available under the
facilities, with commitment fees on the unused portions.  On December 31, 
1992, Entech had outstanding $12,000,000 under these agreements, at a 4%
interest rate. 

ESOP Notes Payable:  

      In 1990, the Company borrowed $40,000,000 at an interest rate of 9.2% in
a 15-year loan to be repaid in equal annual installments.  The proceeds of the
loan were used to purchase shares of the Company's stock to pre-fund a portion
of the Company's matching requirements under the Deferred Savings and Employee
Stock Ownership Plan.  See Note 5 for further information.

Medium-Term Notes, Series A:

      At December 31, 1993 and 1992, the Company had outstanding $67,250,000
and $100,000,000 principal amount of Medium-Term Notes, respectively, maturing
from eleven months to 29 years with interest rates varying between 8.57% and
8.90%.

      On January 15, 1993, $13,000,000 of Medium-Term Notes, 8.65% series due
1993, matured.  The Company retired these notes with the proceeds of short-
term borrowing.

      On December 20, 1993, $19,750,000 of Medium-Term Notes, 8.8% series due
1993, matured.  The Company retired these notes with the proceeds of long-term
commercial paper.  

      During the period 1994 through 1998, the Company is required to make the
following maturity and sinking fund payments on long-term debt:

                                1994      1995      1996      1997      1998  
                                              Thousands of Dollars

7 1/2% Sinking Fund
  Debentures...............   $    500  $    500  $    500  $    500  $ 15,500
ESOP Notes Payable.........      1,907     2,082     2,274     2,483     2,712
Medium-Term Notes..........     19,000    10,000     8,750     7,500     2,500
Other......................      4,792     4,475     4,092       201       192
                              $ 26,199  $ 17,057  $ 15,616  $ 10,684  $ 20,904

<PAGE>
NOTE 8 - Short-term borrowing:  

      The Company is currently authorized by the PSC to incur short-term debt
not to exceed $150,000,000.  The Company and Entech have short-term borrowing
facilities with commercial banks that provide both committed, as well as
uncommitted, lines of credit, and the ability to sell commercial paper.  Bank
borrowings either bear interest at the lender's floating base rate and may be
repaid at any time, or have fixed rates of interest and maturities. 
Commercial paper has fixed rates of interest and maturities.   

      At December 31, 1993, the Company had lines of credit consisting of
$75,000,000 committed and $65,400,000 uncommitted, and Entech had lines of
credit consisting of $15,000,000 committed and $20,000,000 uncommitted.  There
is a commitment fee on the unused portion of some of these facilities which is
not significant.  The Company has the ability, subject to the previously
mentioned PSC limitation, to issue up to $135,000,000 of commercial paper
based on the total of its unused committed lines of credit and its revolving
credit agreement and Entech has a $50,000,000 commercial paper facility.  

      At December 31, 1993 and 1992, the Company's and Entech's short-term
borrowing included the following:  

                                              1993          1992   
                                             Thousands of Dollars

        Notes payable to banks
          MPC..........................    $   43,900    $   34,300
          Entech.......................         8,000        13,000
        Commercial paper
          MPC..........................                      16,000
          Entech.......................        16,965              
                                           $   68,865    $   63,300

<PAGE>
NOTE 9 - Retirement plans:  

      The Company maintains trusteed, noncontributory retirement plans
covering substantially all employees.  Retirement benefits are based on
salary, years of service and social security integration levels.  

      In 1993, pension costs funded were less than SFAS No. 87 pension expense
by $1,887,000 and the difference was recorded as a reduction of unearned
revenue.  The amount of utility pension costs funded are included in rates. 
In 1992 and 1991, pension costs funded exceeded SFAS No. 87 pension expense by
$969,000 and $48,000, respectively and the differences were recorded as
unearned revenue.    At December 31, 1993, the cumulative amount by which
pension costs funded exceed SFAS No. 87 pension expense is $1,362,000. 

      The assets of the plans consist primarily of corporate stocks, corporate
bonds and U.S. Government securities.  

      The Company also has an unfunded, nonqualified benefit plan for senior
management executives and directors that provides for defined benefit payments
upon retirement over the life of the participant or to their beneficiary for a
minimum fifteen-year period.  Life insurance payable to the Company is carried
on plan participants as an investment.  Utility nonqualified benefit plan
expense is not included in rates.  

      Net pension and benefit expense includes the following components:  

                                             1993        1992        1991   
                                                 Thousands of Dollars

  Service cost benefits earned during 
    the period..........................  $    6,746  $    5,287  $    4,875
  Interest cost on projected benefit 
    obligation..........................      12,077       9,978       9,230
  Actual return market value of assets..     (18,701)    (12,688)    (20,509)
  Net amortization and deferral.........      10,891       4,642      14,548 

    Total net periodic pension and 
      benefit expense...................  $   11,013  $    7,219  $    8,144

<PAGE>
      The funded status of the pension and benefit plans is as follows:  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31     
                                                           1993        1992   
                                                         Thousands of Dollars
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
     Actuarial present value of accumulated plan
       benefits
         Vested......................................    $ 120,550   $  98,618
         Nonvested...................................       10,861       8,386

     Accumulated benefit obligation..................      131,411     107,004
     Effect of projected future compensation levels..       62,278      34,931

     Projected benefit obligation....................      193,689     141,935
     Plan assets at fair value.......................      150,913     133,291

     Plan assets less than projected  
       benefit obligation............................      (42,776)     (8,644)

     Unrecognized net (gain) from past 
       experience different from that assumed and 
       effects of changes in assumptions.............       16,675     (11,120)
     Prior service cost not yet recognized in net
       periodic pension expense......................       14,567      11,445
     Unrecognized initial obligation.................        3,703       3,999

       Prepaid (Accrued) benefits expense............    $  (7,831)  $  (4,320)


      The following assumptions were used in the determination of actuarial
present values of the projected benefit obligations:  

                                                               December 31      
                                                            1993         1992   

     Assumed discount rates:  
       Active service and vested terminations........       7.00%       7.75%
       Retired employees.............................       7.00%       7.75%

     Long-term rate of average compensation increase.    4.90%-5.45% 4.50%-5.45%

     Long-term rate on plan assets...................       8.50%       8.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
      In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company and its
subsidiaries provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for
eligible retired employees.  Until 1993, the cost of retiree health care and
life insurance benefits was recognized as expense on a pay-as-you-go (cash)
basis.  The cost of these benefits in 1993, 1992 and 1991 was $1,387,000,
$1,267,000 and $1,187,000, respectively.  

      The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting
for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" (SFAS No. 106) effective
January 1, 1993.  SFAS No. 106 requires accrual of the expected cost of these
postretirement benefits during the employees' years of service rather than
when the costs are paid.

      The Company's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at
January 1, 1994 is estimated to be $34,400,000, with $24,600,000 and
$9,800,000 related to utility and non-utility operations, respectively.  The
utility and non-utility amounts are being amortized through charges to
earnings over 20 and 24-year periods, respectively.  The incremental increase
in 1993 consolidated expenses due to SFAS No. 106 adoption was $1,600,000, all
of which related to the non-utility operations.

      In accordance with an Accounting Order issued by the PSC on November 10,
1992, the Company has recorded as a deferred expense in 1993 the increased
costs of $2,100,000 which resulted from adopting SFAS No. 106 for the Utility
Division.  The Company requested recovery of utility SFAS No. 106 costs from
ratepayers in its rate filing on June 21, 1993 and a final rate order is
expected by the end of April 1994.  The Company believes that the costs will
be allowed in rates based on previous PSC rate decisions addressing this
issue.

      The cost of SFAS No. 106 adoption for the year ended December 31, 1993,
a portion of which has been capitalized, includes the following components:  

                                                       December 31    
                                                          1993        
                                                  Thousands of Dollars

     Service cost on benefits earned
        during the year. . . . . . . . . . . .          $ 1,356

     Interest cost on projected benefit
        obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2,296

     Amortization of transition obligation . .            1,492

     Total postretirement benefit cost . . . .          $ 5,144

<PAGE>
The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

                                                           December 31     
                                                               1993        
                                                       Thousands of Dollars

     Accumulated benefit obligation:
       Fully eligible active employees . . . . . .          $  1,920
       Other active employees. . . . . . . . . . .            20,195
       Retirees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            12,298
       Accumulated benefit obligation. . . . . . .            34,413
     Plan assets at fair value . . . . . . . . . .                 0
     Plan assets less than projected
       benefit obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . .           (34,413)
     Unrecognized net transition obligation. . . .            27,519
     Unrecognized net loss from past
       experience different from that
       assumed and effects of changes
       in assumptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             3,113
     Prepaid (Accrued) benefits expense. . . . . .          $ (3,781)

      The assumed 1993 health care cost trend rates used to measure the
expected cost of benefits covered by the plans are 9% and 12% for the utility
and non-utility operations, respectively.  Both trend rates decrease through
2003 to an ultimate rate of 5.75%.  The trend rates are for pre-65 benefits
since most of the plans provide a fixed dollar annual benefit for retirees
over age 65.  One Entech subsidiary's plan used a trend rate of 9% decreasing
through 2003 to an ultimate rate of 5.75% for post-65 benefits.  The effect of
a 1% increase in each future year's assumed health care cost trend rates
increases the service and interest cost from $3,700,000 to $4,100,000 and the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation from $34,400,000 to $37,500,000.

      In November 1992, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,"
(SFAS No. 112) effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1993. 
The Company adopted SFAS No. 112  with respect to disability related benefits
up to age 65 effective January 1, 1994.  This statement requires the accrual
of a liability or loss contingency for the estimated obligation for
postemployment benefits.  At December 31, 1993, the Company's postemployment
benefit liability is estimated to be $10,600,000, with $9,300,000 and
$1,300,000 relating to regulated utility and nonregulated operations,
respectively.  The utility had recorded a liability and recovered through
rates by year-end approximately $2,400,000 for disability-related benefits.
The incremental increase in 1994 consolidated expenses due to SFAS No. 112
adoption is estimated to be $1,300,000, all of which relates to non-utility
operations.

      Effective January 1, 1994, the Company is no longer self-insured for a
significant portion of the disability-related benefits relating to the Utility
Division.  The Company will record as a deferred expense in 1994 the
additional postemployment benefit liability of $6,900,000 that was incurred by
the utility but not recognized while self-insured.  The Company will charge a
significant portion of this amount to income and will recover it through rates
within 10 years.

<PAGE>
NOTE 10 - Information on industry segments:  

      The Company's principal business includes regulated utility operations
involving the generation, purchase, transmission and distribution of
electricity and the production, purchase, transportation and distribution of
natural gas.  The Company, through Entech, engages in nonutility operations
principally involving the mining and sale of coal and exploration for, and the
development, production, processing and sale of oil and natural gas.  The
Company, through its Independent Power Group (IPG), manages long-term power
sales, invests in cogeneration projects, and provides energy-related support
services, including the operation and maintenance of power plants. 

      Substantially all of the natural gas produced by the Company's Canadian
utility operations has been sold to the Company's United States utility
operations.  Operating income before income taxes for utility segments
represents operating revenues less total operating expenses and taxes other
than income taxes.  Operating income for Entech segments represents total
revenues less all costs and expenses except interest, interest income and
other-net, and income taxes.  Depreciation and depletion includes a provision
for abandonment of nonproducing leases, amortization of other deferred charges
and certain depreciation amounts included in operation expense in the
Consolidated Statement of Income.  Immaterial intersegment sales are not
disclosed.

      Identifiable assets of each industry segment are those assets used in
the Company's operations in such industry segments.  Corporate assets are
principally miscellaneous special funds, cash and temporary cash investments,
other investments and unallocable property.  The assets of the Company's
Canadian operations were $80,304,000, $83,790,000 and $84,433,000 at
December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.  

<PAGE>
Operations Information
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year ended December 31, 1993      
                                                    Thousands of Dollars

Utility industry segments:             Electric     Natural Gas    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $  426,812    $   110,971    $    537,783  
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         6,790            317           7,107
    Total revenue. . . . . . . . .    $  433,602    $   111,288    $    544,890
  
  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . . . . . .    $  112,031    $    31,441    $    143,472
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                      (37,505)
    Operating income . . . . . . .                                 $    105,967

  Depreciation and
    depletion. . . . . . . . . . .    $   37,320    $     8,736
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Oil and
Entech industry segments:      Coal      Natural Gas     Other     Consolidated
<S>                         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
  Sales to unrelated
    customers. . . . . . .  $  227,268   $   117,706   $  24,398   $    369,372
  Intersegment sales to:
    Utility. . . . . . . .      29,714           742         700         31,156
    Independent Power
      Group. . . . . . . .       9,923                                    9,923
    Total revenues . . . .  $  266,905   $   118,448   $  25,098   $    410,451

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . .  $   45,221   $    14,685   $   1,002   $     60,908

  Interest . . . . . . . .                                               (2,284)
  Interest income and 
    other-net. . . . . . .                                                5,829
  Income taxes . . . . . .                                              (17,263)
  Income from Entech
    operations . . . . . .                                         $     47,190

  Depreciation and
    depletion. . . . . . .  $   10,102   $    19,327   $   2,224
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Energy 
Independent Power Group                             Services and
  industry segments:                   Electric     Cogeneration    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $   70,332    $     44,981   $    115,313
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         1,607           3,335          4,942
   Total revenues. . . . . . . . .    $   71,939    $     48,316   $    120,255

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . . . . . .    $   (3,906)   $     (4,368)  $     (8,274)

  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . .                                         (121)
  Interest income and
    other-net. . . . . . . . . . .                                        7,847
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                          507
  Income from Independent Power
    Group operations . . . . . . .                                 $        (41)

  Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .    $    1,916    $        278
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Operations Information
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year ended December 31, 1992      
                                                    Thousands of Dollars

Utility industry segments:             Electric     Natural Gas    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $  402,402    $    97,805    $    500,207
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         3,888            596           4,484
   Total revenues. . . . . . . . .    $  406,290    $    98,401    $    504,691

  Operating income before
   income taxes. . . . . . . . . .    $  103,814    $    23,066    $    126,880
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                      (28,016)
   Operating income. . . . . . . .                                 $     98,864

  Depreciation and
   depletion . . . . . . . . . . .    $   35,349    $     8,181
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Oil and
Entech industry segments:      Coal      Natural Gas     Other     Consolidated
<S>                         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
  Sales to unrelated
   customers . . . . . . .  $  228,873   $    90,317   $  30,560   $    349,750
  Intersegment sales to
   Utility . . . . . . . .      32,496         1,020         467         33,983
   Independent Power
     Group . . . . . . . .      13,396                                   13,396
   Total revenues. . . . .  $  274,765   $    91,337   $  31,027   $    397,129

  Operating income before
   income taxes. . . . . .  $   48,852   $    13,285   $   1,232   $     63,369

  Interest . . . . . . . .                                               (2,144)
  Interest income and 
   other-net . . . . . . .                                                5,150
  Income taxes . . . . . .                                              (16,178)
  Income from Entech
   operations. . . . . . .                                         $     50,197

  Depreciation and
   depletion . . . . . . .  $   11,259   $    19,607   $   2,665
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Energy 
Independent Power Group                             Services and
  industry segments:                   Electric     Cogeneration    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $   78,896    $     14,161   $     93,057
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         2,492              57          2,549
   Total revenues. . . . . . . . .    $   81,388    $     14,218   $     95,606

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . . . . . .    $    5,354    $     (1,903)  $      3,451

  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . .                                          (31)
  Interest income and
    other-net. . . . . . . . . . .                                        2,579
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                       (2,234)
  Income from Independent Power
    Group operations . . . . . . .                                 $      3,765

  Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .    $    1,883    $         51
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Operations Information
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year ended December 31, 1991      
                                                    Thousands of Dollars

Utility industry segments:             Electric     Natural Gas    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $  385,438    $   108,477    $    493,915
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         4,038             65           4,103
   Total revenues. . . . . . . . .    $  389,476    $   108,542    $    498,018

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . . . . . .    $  104,628    $    26,976    $    131,604
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                      (27,808)
    Operating income . . . . . . .                                 $    103,796

  Depreciation and
    depletion. . . . . . . . . . .    $   33,312    $     8,131
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Oil and
Entech industry segments:      Coal      Natural Gas     Other     Consolidated
<S>                         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
  Sales to unrelated
    customers. . . . . . .  $  225,906   $    61,961   $  29,922   $    317,789
  Intersegment sales to
    Utility. . . . . . . .      31,300                       534         31,834
    Independent Power
      Group. . . . . . . .      12,477                                   12,477
    Total revenues . . . .  $  269,683   $    61,961   $  30,456   $    362,100

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . .  $   56,988   $     5,073   $   1,890   $     63,951

  Interest . . . . . . . .                                               (1,776)
  Interest income and 
    other-net. . . . . . .                                                6,800
  Income taxes . . . . . .                                              (19,592)
  Income from Entech
    operations . . . . . .                                         $     49,383

  Depreciation and
    depletion. . . . . . .  $   12,253   $    15,197   $   2,658
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Energy 
Independent Power Group                             Services and
  industry segments:                   Electric     Cogeneration    Consolidated
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
  Operating revenue. . . . . . . .    $   75,276    $      2,195   $     77,471
  Intersegment sales . . . . . . .         1,345                          1,345
   Total revenues. . . . . . . . .    $   76,621    $      2,195   $     78,816

  Operating income before
    income taxes . . . . . . . . .    $    4,782    $     (1,358)  $      3,424

  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . .                                       (1,081)
  Interest income and
    other-net. . . . . . . . . . .                                        2,739
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . .                                       (1,716)
  Income from Independent
    Power Group operations . . . .                                 $      3,366

  Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .    $    1,835    
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                            Assets and Expenditures
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Identifiable Assets
                                                     December 31             
                                              1993        1992        1991   
                                                 Thousands of Dollars
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>
Industry segments:
 Utility
  Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $1,323,760  $1,266,651  $1,248,286
  Natural gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      352,540     334,834     324,986
    Total Utility. . . . . . . . . . . .    1,676,300   1,601,485   1,573,272

 Entech
  Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      264,991     235,538     242,582
  Oil and natural gas. . . . . . . . . .      168,823     161,905     155,006
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       36,300      26,001      25,016

    Total Entech . . . . . . . . . . . .      470,114     423,444     422,604

 Independent Power Group . . . . . . . .      163,550     164,777     145,370

    Total identifiable items . . . . . .    2,309,964   2,189,706   2,141,246
 Corporate items . . . . . . . . . . . .       76,063      95,716      76,800

                                           $2,386,027  $2,285,422  $2,218,046



                                                  Capital Expenditures
                                                 Year Ended December 31      
                                              1993        1992        1991   
                                                  Thousands of Dollars
Industry segments:
 Utility
  Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   83,308  $   76,111  $   67,277
  Natural gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       28,871      20,233      17,696
    Total Utility. . . . . . . . . . . .      112,179      96,344      84,973

 Entech
  Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       24,123      10,081      32,516
  Oil and natural gas. . . . . . . . . .       38,547      29,722      53,435
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1,875       3,586       1,224

    Total Entech . . . . . . . . . . . .       64,545      43,389      87,175

 Independent Power Group . . . . . . . .        4,542      19,489      15,220

    Total identifiable items . . . . . .      181,266     159,222     187,368
 Corporate items . . . . . . . . . . . .          156         601       1,315

                                           $  181,422  $  159,823  $  188,683
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
                      OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
<TABLE>
For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 net recoverable oil and natural
gas reserves, excluding royalty volumes and volumes controlled under purchase
contract, of the Utility and Entech operations were estimated as follows:  
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1993    
                                                     U.S.       CANADA    STORAGE 
PROVED DEVELOPED AND UNDEVELOPED RESERVES:
<S>                                               <C>          <C>         <C>  
UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                                83,264      101,220   59,075 
    Production                                       (5,587)      (3,927)
    Additions                                                        788   (2,757)
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place
    Revisions - Other                                 2,291 
    Revisions - Price                                   102          790          
      Ending Balance                                 80,070       98,871   56,318 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                               133,421       41,620 
    Production                                      (10,740)      (6,735)
    Additions                                        24,414       17,758 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place         (130)       1,024 
    Revisions - Other                                (4,937)         (74)
    Revisions - Price                                (1,105)       5,478          
      Ending Balance                                140,923       59,071          

  Natural Gas
    Liquids (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                             1,071,700      907,500 
    Production                                     (143,059)    (134,509)
    Additions                                       597,100      452,766 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place     (861,059)      (8,353)
    Revisions - Other                             3,030,018      236,058 
    Revisions - Price                               (12,000)      54,638          
      Ending Balance                              3,682,700    1,508,100          

  Oil (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                             3,877,900    4,793,400          
    Production                                     (528,408)    (917,992)
    Additions                                     3,157,100    1,208,328 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place       55,811     (115,014)
    Revisions - Other                              (127,288)    (373,231)
    Revisions - Price                              (196,415)     (83,891)         
      Ending Balance                              6,238,700    4,511,600          

                                                          1993           
                                                     U.S.       CANADA   
PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES:

UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   79,239       98,871 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   89,372       51,437 

  Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                3,088,600    1,314,300 

  Oil (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                3,190,000     4,265,400

 <PAGE>
                                                                 1992    
                                                     U.S.       CANADA    STORAGE 
PROVED DEVELOPED AND UNDEVELOPED RESERVES:

UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                                87,970      102,609   59,545 
    Production                                       (5,724)      (2,951)
    Additions                                                                (470)
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place          266 
    Revisions - Other                                   723        1,224 
    Revisions - Price                                    29          338           
      Ending Balance                                 83,264      101,220    59,075 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                               119,245       36,887 
    Production                                       (8,758)      (6,748)
    Additions                                         6,874        5,288 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place        2,603          227 
    Revisions - Other                                 9,603        2,771 
    Revisions - Price                                 3,854        3,195           
      Ending Balance                                133,421       41,620           

  Natural Gas
    Liquids (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                               685,600    1,395,400 
    Production                                     (138,226)     (87,997)
    Additions                                       517,581          700 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place                    (1,185)
    Revisions - Other                                 6,745     (426,218)
    Revisions - Price                                             26,800           
      Ending Balance                              1,071,700      907,500           

  Oil (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                             3,981,000    3,773,615 
    Production                                     (590,573)    (963,192)
    Additions                                       731,174    1,106,684 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place       73,934       89,369 
    Revisions - Other                              (401,035)     694,224 
    Revisions - Price                                83,400       92,700           
      Ending Balance                              3,877,900    4,793,400           

                                                          1992           
                                                     U.S.       CANADA   
PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES:

UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   82,449      101,220 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   82,596       38,353 

  Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                1,071,700      895,800 

  Oil (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                 3,406,000   4,076,500 

<PAGE>
                                                                 1991    
                                                     U.S.       CANADA    STORAGE 
PROVED DEVELOPED AND UNDEVELOPED RESERVES:

UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                                93,658      106,233    59,256 
    Production                                       (6,294)      (4,550)         
    Additions                                                                 289 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place          235                       
    Revisions - Other                                   557           22          
    Revisions - Price                                  (186)         904          
      Ending Balance                                 87,970      102,609    59,545 

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Beginning Balance                               129,075       43,831          
    Production                                       (7,274)      (5,247)         
    Additions                                        14,390          301          
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place        1,791        3,552          
    Revisions - Other                               (16,553)      (4,425)         
    Revisions - Price                                (2,184)      (1,125)          
      Ending Balance                                119,245       36,887           

  Natural Gas
    Liquids (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                               490,999    1,399,131          
    Production                                     (148,870)     (72,468)         
    Additions 
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place                    65,600 
    Revisions - Other                               343,471       (5,563)         
    Revisions - Price                                              8,700           
      Ending Balance                                685,600    1,395,400           

  Oil (Bbls):
    Beginning Balance                             3,363,000    2,125,938          
    Production                                     (607,301)    (426,624)         
    Additions                                     1,140,787      384,991          
    (Sales) and Purchases of Reserves in Place      157,449    1,541,673          
    Revisions - Other                               164,833      245,009          
    Revisions - Price                              (237,768)     (97,372)           
      Ending Balance                              3,981,000    3,773,615           

                                                          1991           
                                                     U.S.       CANADA   
PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES:

UTILITY OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   87,155      102,609          

ENTECH OPERATIONS:
  Natural Gas (Mmcf):
    Ending Balance                                   55,253       36,294          

  Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                  600,800    1,380,300          

  Oil (Bbls):
    Ending Balance                                2,609,200    3,136,115          
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities (Cont.)

      As determined by utility engineers, natural gas reserves were revised
during 1993, 1992 and 1991 due to a change in projected performance or a
change in the Company's ownership interest in specific fields.  

      In 1993, Entech's U.S. oil and natural gas reserves increased as a
result of the drilling of 55 development wells and 10 exploratory wells in
Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Kansas.  Natural gas liquid
reserves increased due to the startup of the Fort Lupton, Colorado, gas
processing plant in September 1993.  Lower oil market prices contributed to
downward revisions in U.S. reserves.  The Canadian companies participated in
26 development and 13 exploratory wells.  Significant gas reserves were added
from discoveries in the exploratory wells.  Additions in oil reserves were the
result of two successful secondary recovery schemes completed in the
Manyberries area during 1993.  Revisions due to price and performance resulted
in a net increase in natural gas liquid reserves and a net decrease in oil
reserves.  

      In 1992, the drilling of 43 development wells and one exploratory well
in Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma, resulted in additions to Entech's oil and
gas reserves in the United States.  Price changes also added to the reserves
of existing properties.  The Canadian companies participated in 59 development
and two exploratory wells, resulting in the addition of significant oil and
gas reserves.  Revisions due to price and improved performance provided a net
increase in oil and gas reserves.  Natural gas liquid reserves decreased due
to a downward revision in unit working interest in the recently developed
Shell Caroline area.  

      In 1991, additions to Entech's United States oil and gas reserves
resulted from the drilling of 32 development wells and two successful
exploratory wells, principally in Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming. 
Acquisitions of new oil and gas properties added reserves in Colorado, North
Dakota and Wyoming.  Price changes and unsuccessful drilling activities
resulted in downward revisions to existing reserves.  Additions to oil and gas
reserves in Canada resulted from the drilling of 14 development wells in
Alberta and one exploratory well in British Columbia.  Acquisition of a new
oil and gas property, development drilling and favorable production
performance in Alberta reflect upward revisions in reserves.  Natural gas
reserves and associated liquids were revised downward as a result of revised
estimates of performance in 26 mature Alberta fields and market price
declines.  <PAGE>
    
  The following table presents information for 1993, 1992 and 1991 on the
capitalized costs relating to utility natural gas producing activities, costs
incurred in utility natural gas property acquisition, exploration and
development activities and certain utility natural gas production costs
reflected in results of operations.  As a regulated public utility, the
Company is authorized to earn a rate of return on its utility natural gas
plant rate base. The Company's cost of acquiring utility natural gas reserves
and the net cost of natural gas in underground storage are included in the
natural gas plant which is a part of the utility rate base.  Due to the
commingling of produced natural gas with purchased and royalty natural gas for
sale to utility customers and application of the ratemaking process to the
utility natural gas producing activities, the Company is unable to identify
revenues resulting solely from utility natural gas producing activities. 
Accordingly, the information on revenues, income taxes, results of operations
and estimated future net cash flows and changes therein relating to proved
utility natural gas reserves are not presented for the Company's utility
natural gas producing activities.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     1993              1992              1991      
                               United            United            United
                               States   Canada   States   Canada   States   Canada 
UTILITY OPERATIONS                              Thousands of Dollars
<S>                           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
At December 31:
Capitalized costs relating 
  to natural gas producing
  activities . . . . . . .    $ 90,711 $ 35,786 $ 90,416 $ 35,592 $ 89,969 $ 35,962
Accumulated depreciation,
  depletion and valuation
  allowances . . . . . . .      44,516   18,815   43,003   18,500   41,189   18,213

  Net capitalized costs. .    $ 46,195 $ 16,971 $ 47,413 $ 17,092 $ 48,780 $ 17,749

For the year ended 
  December 31:  

Costs incurred in natural
  gas property acquisition, 
  exploration and 
  development activities: 

    Acquisition of 
      properties . . . . .    $     46 $     27 $    148 $      7 $    136 $      4
    Exploration. . . . . .         386      244      361      237      830      244
    Development. . . . . .       1,528      496    1,208      329    2,324      464

Costs reflected in results 
  of operations: 

  Production costs . . . .       8,060    2,350    7,454    2,289    7,455    2,341
  Exploration expenses . .         383      244      361      237      830      244
  Development expenses . .          90       59      159      130       46     
  Depreciation, depletion
    and valuation 
    provisions . . . . . .       2,564      283    2,421      511    3,296      710
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
      The following table presents information for 1993, 1992 and 1991 on the
capitalized costs relating to Entech oil and natural gas producing activities,
costs incurred in Entech oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration
and development activities and results of Entech operations for oil and
natural gas producing activities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     1993              1992              1991      
                               United            United            United
                               States   Canada   States   Canada   States   Canada 
ENTECH OPERATIONS                               Thousands of Dollars
<S>                           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
At December 31:

Capitalized costs relating
  to oil and natural gas
  producing activities . .    $136,949 $ 88,596 $121,119 $ 85,306 $107,771 $ 84,040
Accumulated depreciation,
  depletion and valuation 
  allowances . . . . . . .      36,725   34,426   31,428   28,743   26,301   23,725

    Net capitalized costs.    $100,224 $ 54,170 $ 89,691 $ 56,563 $ 81,470 $ 60,315

For the year ended 
  December 31:

Costs incurred in oil and 
  natural gas property 
  acquisition, exploration
  and development 
  activities:

    Acquisition of 
      properties . . . . .    $  1,700 $  2,638 $  2,629 $  1,774 $  7,931 $ 16,567
    Exploration. . . . . .       2,838    2,711    1,554    1,839    3,754    2,054
    Development. . . . . .      26,279    5,721   15,729    9,183   16,581    9,690

ENTECH OPERATIONS

Results of operations for 
  oil and natural gas 
  producing activities:

  Revenues . . . . . . . .    $ 30,713 $ 23,435 $ 25,739 $ 23,541 $ 24,095 $ 13,361
  Production costs . . . .       9,459    7,629    7,685    7,908    8,501    5,511
  Exploration expenses . .       2,123    2,184    1,317    1,829    1,704    1,858
  Depreciation, depletion 
    and valuation 
    provisions . . . . . .      10,386    8,707    9,895    9,515    8,364    6,833
                                 8,745    4,915    6,842    4,289    5,526     (841)

  Income tax expenses. . .         978    2,179      687    1,901    2,125     (368)

Results of operations from
  producing activities
  (excluding corporate 
  overhead and interest 
  cost). . . . . . . . . .    $  7,767 $  2,736 $  6,155 $  2,388 $  3,401 $   (473)
</TABLE>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities (Cont.)

      Estimated future cash inflows are computed by applying year-end prices
and contract prices, when appropriate, of oil and natural gas to year-end
quantities of proved reserves.  Estimated future development and production
costs are determined by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in
developing and producing the proved oil and natural gas reserves at the end of
the year, based on year-end costs.  Estimated future income tax expenses are
calculated by applying year-end statutory tax rates to estimated future pretax
net cash flows related to proved oil and natural gas reserves, less the tax
basis of the properties involved.  The future income tax expenses give effect
to permanent differences, tax credits and deferred taxes relating to proved
oil and natural gas reserves.  

      These estimates are furnished and calculated in accordance with
requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Management believes the usefulness of these
projections is limited because of the unpredictable variances in expenses,
capital forecasts and crude oil and natural gas prices.  Estimates of future
net cash flows presented do not represent management's assessment of future
profitability or future cash flow to the Company.  Management's investment and
operating decisions are based upon reserve estimates that include proved
reserves prescribed by the SEC as well as probable reserves, and upon
different price and cost assumptions from those used here.   

<PAGE>
                   Standardized Measure of Discounted Future
                Net Cash Flows and Changes Therein Relating to
                      Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      December 31                     
                                             1993                      1992           
                                       United                    United   
                                       States      Canada        States      Canada   
                                                   Thousands of Dollars   
<S>                                  <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Future cash inflows. . . . . . . .   $  597,493   $ 166,455   $   539,615 $   136,833 
Future production and  
  development costs. . . . . . . .      227,093      44,367       221,044      41,632 
Future income tax expenses . . . .      106,670      31,003        86,112      17,726 

Future net cash flows. . . . . . .      263,730      91,085       232,459      77,475 
10% annual discount for 
  estimated timing
  of cash flows. . . . . . . . . .      113,062      22,320       102,408      16,974 

Standardized measure of 
  discounted future net 
  cash flows . . . . . . . . . . .  $   150,668  $   68,765   $   130,051 $    60,501 

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
    The following are the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows:
<CAPTION>
<S>                                   <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>
Sales and transfers of oil and 
  gas produced, net of 
  production costs . . . . . . . .    $ (21,254) $  (15,807)   $  (18,054) $  (15,633)
Net changes in prices, 
  development and production 
  costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (4,707)      4,744        18,567       1,600 
Extensions, discoveries, and 
  improved recovery, less 
  related costs. . . . . . . . . .       45,772      23,655        18,233      11,870 

Revisions of previous quantity 
  estimates. . . . . . . . . . . .       (4,521)      2,346        12,323       7,792 
Accretion of discount. . . . . . .       15,745       6,470        12,438       5,037 
Net change in income taxes . . . .      (10,327)     (9,016)       (8,041)       (263)
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (91)     (4,128)      (10,441)      3,676 
</TABLE>

      Extensions, discoveries, and improved recovery, less related costs,
represent the present value of current year reserve additions valued at
year-end prices less actual unit production costs for the current year.  For
the years 1993 and 1992, the amount described as other is primarily the result
of changes in the timing of production.  

<PAGE>
Quarterly Financial Data

      Operating revenues, operating income and net income in thousands of
dollars and net income per common share for the four quarters of 1993 and 1992
are shown in the tables below.  Due to the seasonal nature of the utility
business, the annual amounts are not generated evenly by quarter during the
year.  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Quarter ended                    

                                     Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,     June 30,     Mar. 31,  
                                      1993         1993          1993         1993    

<S>                                 <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Utility Operating Revenues . . . .  $ 169,018    $ 106,967     $ 100,243    $ 168,662 
Utility Operating Income . . . . .     43,491       13,486         8,980       40,010 
Income (Loss) from Utility 
  Operations . . . . . . . . . . .     31,958        1,638        (1,735)      28,201 
Entech Revenues. . . . . . . . . .    108,603      111,075        86,200      104,573 
Income from Entech Operations. . .     17,557       11,214         6,723       11,696 
Independent Power Group Revenues .     29,208       29,361        33,431       28,255 
Income (Loss) from Independent . .
  Power Group Operations . . . . .        610         (796)           (3)         148 
Consolidated Net Income. . . . . .     50,125       12,056         4,985       40,045 
Net Income Per Share of Common 
  Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0.93         0.21          0.08         0.76 


                                                     Quarter ended                    
                                     Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,     June 30,     Mar. 31,  
                                      1992         1992          1992         1992    


Utility Operating Revenues . . . .  $ 153,813    $ 105,473      $ 93,426    $ 151,979 
Utility Operating Income . . . . .     39,213       15,729         6,669       37,253 
Income (Loss) from Utility 
  Operations . . . . . . . . . . .     28,946        4,201        (5,046)      25,002 
Entech Revenues. . . . . . . . . .    107,148      104,064        87,446       98,471 
Income from Entech Operations. . .     13,835       11,467         9,512       15,383 
Independent Power Group Revenues .     32,591       17,995        17,921       18,073 
Income (Loss) from Independent
  Power Group Operations . . . . .      1,987          (38)          584        1,232 
Consolidated Net Income. . . . . .     44,768       15,630         5,050       41,617 
Net Income Per Share of Common 
  Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       0.85         0.29          0.08         0.80 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ITEM  9.    DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

      None.  

                                   PART III


ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS

      See Item 1.  Business - "Executive Officers."  

      Information on Directors is incorporated by reference from the Company's
Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, pages 2-5.

      Information on Section 16(a) compliance is incorporated by reference
from the Company's Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy
Statement, page 20. 

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      Incorporated by reference from Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement, pages 9-12.  

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      Incorporated by reference from Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement, pages 5-7.  

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      None.  

<PAGE>
                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 (a)  Please refer to Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"
      for a complete listing of all consolidated financial statements and
      financial statement schedules.  

<PAGE>
 (b)       The Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K:  

                Date                            Subject                     

           None
<PAGE>
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

3. Exhibits                                        Incorporation by Reference
                                                                Previous
                                                    Previous     Exhibit
                                                     Filing    Designation 

    3(a)     Restated Articles of Incorporation    33-42882     4(a)
    3(a)(1)  Restated Articles of Incorporation
    3(a)(2)  Amendments to the Restated Articles
               of Incorporation
    3(b)     By-laws, as amended                   33-42882     4(b)
    4(a)     Mortgage and Deed Trust               2-5927       7(e)
    4(b)     First Supplemental Indenture          2-10834      4(e)
    4(c)     Second Supplemental Indenture         2-14237      4(d)
    4(d)     Third Supplemental Indenture          2-27121      2(a)-5
    4(e)     Fourth Supplemental Indenture         2-36246      2(a)-6
    4(f)     Fifth Supplemental Indenture          2-39536      2(a)-7
    4(g)     Sixth Supplemental Indenture          2-49884      2(a)-8(a)
    4(h)     Seventh Supplemental Indenture        2-52268      2(a)-9
    4(i)     Eighth Supplemental Indenture         2-53940      2(a)-10
    4(j)     Ninth Supplemental Indenture          2-55036      2(a)-11
    4(k)     Tenth Supplemental Indenture          2-63264      2(a)-12
    4(l)     Eleventh Supplemental Indenture       2-86500      2(a)-13
    4(m)     Twelfth Supplemental Indenture        33-42882     4(c)
    4(n)     Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture     33-55816     4(a)-14
    4(o)     Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture     33-64576     4(c)
    4(p)     Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture      33-64576     4(d)
    4(q)     Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture      33-50235     99(a)
    4(r)     Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture

             Instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt
             which are not required to be filed with the Commission will be
             furnished to the Commission upon request.  

                                                   Incorporation by Reference

                                                               Previous
                                                    Previous    Exhibit
                                                     Filing   Designation

    4(m)       Rights Agreement dated as of        33-42882   4(d)
               June 6, 1989, between The           
               Montana Power Company and First
               Chicago Trust Company of New  
               York, as Rights Agent

   10(a)(i)    Benefit Restoration Plan for        33-42882   10(a)(i)
               Senior Management Executives        
               and Board of Directors

   10(a)(ii)   Deferred Compensation Plan for      33-42882   10(a)(ii)
               Non-Employee Directors

<PAGE>
                                                   Incorporation by Reference

                                                                Previous
                                                    Previous     Exhibit
                                                     Filing   Designation

   10(a)(iii)  Long-Term Incentive Stock           1-4566     10(a)(iii)
               Ownership Plan                      1992
                                                   Form 10-K

   10(a)(iv)   The Montana Power Company           33-28096    4(c)
               Employee Stock Ownership Plan 
               (Revised)

   10(a)(v)    Termination Compensation            1-4566     10(a)(v)
               Agreements with Senior              1992
               Management Executives               Form 10-K

   10(c)       Participation Agreements among      33-42882   10(c)
               United States Trust Company         
               of New York, Burnham Leasing        
               Corporation, and SGE (New York) 
               Associates, Certain Institutions, 
               The Montana Power Company and 
               Bankers Trust Company

   12          Statement re computation of ratio
               of earnings to Fixed Charges

   21          Subsidiaries of the registrant

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1993
                              Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN  D    COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at                                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning   Additions                 describe     at end
  Classification     of period    at cost    Retirements   (Note a)    of period
<S>                  <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Electric:
 Intangible (3)      $    3,162  $      207  $            $           $    3,369
 Production (1)         670,822       8,060        3,528          (2)    675,352
 Transmission (1)       287,285      10,092          397          (6)    296,974
 Distribution (1)       364,533      33,281        2,781           6     395,039
 General (1)             47,010       3,515        1,045         (30)     49,450
 Plant held for 
   future use             4,256                                            4,256
 Electric plant 
   acquisition 
   adjustment (3)         3,106                                            3,106

    Total electric 
      plant           1,380,174      55,155        7,751         (32)  1,427,546

Natural Gas:  
 Intangible                 579         224            9          (6)        788
 Field and produc-
   tion (1)(2)          183,719       1,923        1,030         373     184,985
 Transmission (1)        96,173       6,748          255           9     102,675 
 Distribution (1)        84,142      11,726          171          (1)     95,696
 General (1)             15,958       1,692          525          26      17,151
 Plant held for 
   future use 
   (Note c)               3,282          41         (260)       (372)      3,211
 
    Total natural
      gas plant         383,853      22,354        1,730          29     404,506

Common Utility 
Plant and Other 
(Note b)(1)(3)           69,444       5,172        2,209           3      72,410

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1993
                              Thousands of Dollars


     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at                                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning   Additions                 describe     at end
  Classification     of period    at cost    Retirements   (Note a)    of period


Construction Work 
in Progress:  

 Electric            $   19,654  $   14,744  $            $           $   34,398
 Natural gas                271       3,213                                3,484
 Common utility 
   and other                900         184                                1,084

 Total construction                                                             
 work in progress        20,825      18,141                               38,966

 Total utility 
 plant and other      1,854,296     100,822       11,690               1,943,428

Entech Property 
(including intan-
gibles $1,003)
(1)(2)(3)               482,732      69,121       21,527      (3,634)    526,692

Independent Power 
Group Property 
(including intan-
gibles $21)(1)(3)        69,805         941          548                  70,198

    Total            $2,406,833  $  170,884  $    33,765  $   (3,634) $2,540,318

NOTES:  
  (a)   Significant changes in Column E:  (1) All changes to utility plant in
        service represent transfers between plant accounts;
        (2) The change reported for Entech property primarily represents a
        translation of beginning and ending foreign property  balances at
        different exchange rates.  
  (b)   Common utility plant and other includes $994,000 of nonutility property. 
  (c)   Certain amounts retired in 1992 have been allowed to be amortized for
        rate purposes.  As such, the prior retirements have been reversed.  

Methods of depreciation, depletion and amortization:  
  (1)   Straight-line depreciation 
  (2)   Units-of-production depletion 
  (3)   Straight-line amortization
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1992
                              Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN  D    COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at                                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning   Additions                 describe     at end
  Classification     of period    at cost    Retirements   (Note a)    of period
<S>                  <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Electric:
 Intangible (3)      $    1,357  $    1,826  $            $      (21) $    3,162
 Production (1)         657,121      16,427        2,797          71     670,822
 Transmission (1)       266,248      21,834          797                 287,285
 Distribution (1)       339,303      27,635        2,399          (6)    364,533
 General (1)             42,058       5,984        1,003         (29)     47,010
 Plant held for 
   future use             4,256                                            4,256
 Electric plant 
   acquisition 
   adjustment (3)         3,106                                            3,106

    Total electric 
      plant           1,313,449      73,706        6,996          15   1,380,174

Natural Gas:  
 Intangible                 544          35                                  579
 Field and produc-
   tion (1)(2)          180,344       3,445          385         315     183,719
 Transmission (1)        93,796       4,216        1,823         (16)     96,173
 Distribution (1)        75,506       8,785          156           7      84,142
 General (1)             13,372       3,162          538         (38)     15,958
 Plant held for 
   future use             4,587        (287)         713        (305)      3,282
 
    Total natural
      gas plant         368,149      19,356        3,615         (37)    383,853

Common Utility 
Plant and Other 
(Note b)(1)(3)           66,336       3,962          872          18      69,444

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1992
                              Thousands of Dollars


     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at                                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning   Additions                 describe     at end
  Classification     of period    at cost    Retirements   (Note a)    of period


Construction Work 
in Progress:  

 Electric                23,641      (3,987)                              19,654
 Natural gas              1,544      (1,273)                                 271
 Common utility 
   and other              1,066        (166)                                 900

 Total construction
 work in progress        26,251      (5,426)                              20,825

 Total utility 
 plant and other      1,774,185      91,598       11,483          (4)  1,854,296

Entech Property 
(including intan-
gibles $1,451)
(1)(2)(3)               464,978      42,887       17,430      (7,703)    482,732

Independent Power 
Group Property 
(including intan-
gibles $20)(1)(3)        66,477         949         (233)      2,146      69,805

    Total            $2,305,640  $  135,434  $    28,680  $   (5,561) $2,406,833

NOTES:  
  (a)   Significant changes in Column E:  (1) All changes to utility plant in
        service represent transfers between plant accounts;
        (2) The change reported for Entech property primarily represents a
        translation of beginning and ending foreign property  balances at
        different exchange rates; (3) The change reported for Independent Power
        Group represents plant acquired in the purchase of North American Energy
        Services Company on November 1, 1992.  
  (b)   Common utility plant and other includes $1,217,000 of nonutility
        property.  

Methods of depreciation, depletion and amortization:  
  (1)   Straight-line depreciation 
  (2)   Units-of-production depletion 
  (3)   Straight-line amortization
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1991
                              Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at       Additions                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning    at cost                  describe     at end
  Classification     of period    (Note a)   Retirements   (Note a)    of period

<S>                  <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Electric:  
 Intangible          $    1,321  $       36  $            $           $    1,357
 Production (1)
   (Note c)             650,862       9,113         2,868         14     657,121
 Transmission (1)       259,391       7,786           879        (50)    266,248
 Distribution (1)       315,987      26,145         2,868         39     339,303
 General (1)             38,963       4,005           884        (26)     42,058
 Plant held for 
   future use             4,256                                            4,256
 Electric plant 
   acquisition 
   adjustment (3)         3,106                                            3,106 

    Total electric 
      plant           1,273,886      47,085         7,499        (23)  1,313,449

Natural Gas:  
 Intangible                 475          69                                  544
 Field and produc-
   tion (1)(2)          180,299       3,571         3,524         (2)    180,344
 Transmission (1)        95,268         710         2,192         10      93,796
 Distribution (1)        67,487       8,373           354                 75,506
 General (1)             11,899       1,854           407         26      13,372
 Plant held for 
   future use             5,148         183           744                  4,587

    Total natural 
      gas plant         360,576      14,760         7,221         34     368,149

Common Utility 
Plant and Other 
(Note b)(1)(3)           65,580       6,429         5,683         10      66,336

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       SCHEDULE V - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING INTANGIBLES)
                          Year Ended December 31, 1991
                              Thousands of Dollars


     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                                                           Changes
                      Balance                                add
                        at       Additions                 (deduct)    Balance
                     beginning    at cost                  describe     at end
  Classification     of period    (Note a)   Retirements   (Note a)    of period


Construction Work 
in Progress:  

 Electric                10,541      13,100                               23,641
 Natural gas              1,207         337                                1,544
 Common utility 
   and other                465         601                                1,066

 Total construction 
 work in progress        12,213      14,038                               26,251

 Total utility 
 plant and other      1,712,255      82,312       20,403          21   1,774,185

Entech Property 
(including intan-
gibles $967)
(1)(2)(3)               403,169      83,580       22,037         266     464,978

Independent Power 
Group Property
(including intan-
gibles $3)(1)(3)         66,507         748          765         (13)     66,477

    Total            $2,181,931  $  166,640  $    43,205  $      274  $2,305,640

NOTES:  
  (a)   Significant changes in Column E:  (1) All changes to utility plant
        represent transfers between plant accounts; (2) The change reported for
        Entech property primarily represents a translation of beginning and
        ending foreign property balances at different exchange rates.  
  (b)   Common utility plant and other includes $1,447,000 of nonutility
        property.  
  (c)   Certain carrying costs related to Colstrip Unit 3 have been reclassified
        from costs deferred to future operating periods.  

Methods of depreciation, depletion and amortization:  
  (1)   Straight-line depreciation 
  (2)   Units-of-production depletion 
  (3)   Straight-line amortization 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
      SCHEDULE VI - ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF
                          PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
                              Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E     COLUMN F 

                                                            Other
                      Balance    Additions                 Changes     
                        at       charged to                  add        Balance
                     beginning   costs and                 (deduct)      at end   
    Description      of period    expenses   Retirements   (Note a)    of period 

Year Ended: 
<S>                  <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
December 31, 1993  
Accum. deprec.
and depletion:
 Utility plant       $  533,216  $   46,248  $    11,766  $    4,443  $   572,141
 Entech property        163,185      31,653       10,008      (2,701)     182,129
 Independent 
   Power Group           15,090       2,200          468                   16,822

    Total            $  711,491  $   80,101  $    22,242  $    1,742  $   771,092

December 31, 1992
Accum. deprec.
and depletion:
 Utility plant       $  495,720  $   43,626  $    10,943  $    4,813  $   533,216
 Entech property        144,691      33,248       12,291      (2,463)     163,185
 Independent 
   Power Group           11,633       1,939         (240)      1,278       15,090

    Total            $  652,044  $   78,813  $    22,994  $    3,628  $   711,491 


December 31, 1991  
Accum. deprec.
and depletion:
 Utility plant       $  468,201  $   41,893  $    19,329  $    4,955  $   495,720
 Entech property        124,309      28,246        9,593       1,729      144,691
 Independent 
   Power Group           10,583       1,833          783                   11,633

    Total            $  603,093  $   71,972  $    29,705  $    6,684  $   652,044 

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
      SCHEDULE VI - ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF
                          PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
                              Thousands of Dollars

                                                   1993        1992        1991  
NOTES:  
(a) Comprises the following:
    Provision for depreciation of equipment 
      charged to clearing accounts and 
      allocated on the basis of the use of 
      such equipment                             $  2,391    $  2,357    $  2,291
    Other credits from property relocation and 
      miscellaneous adjustments                     2,273       2,658       1,397
    Translation adjustment resulting from 
      translation of beginning and ending 
      foreign balances and foreign accruals 
      at different exchange rates                  (1,390)     (2,664)         37
    Accumulated depreciation on assets 
      transferred from Western and NARCO to 
      Entech                                                                1,601
    Accumulated depreciation on assets acquired
      in the purchase of North American Energy 
      Services Company on November 1, 1992                      1,277    
    Insurance proceeds for damages to the 
      Madison Plant                                                         1,358
    Gain on disposal of property                      115
    Sale of Special Resource Management            (1,892)
    Valuation adjustment of Momont property           245                        


      Total                                      $  1,742    $  3,628    $  6,684
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         SCHEDULE VIII -  VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
                              Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B           COLUMN C          COLUMN D     COLUMN E 
                      Balance                               
                        at       Charged to  Charged to                 Balance
                     beginning   costs and      other                   at close
    Description      of period    expenses     accounts   Deductions   of period  

                                                           (Note a)

Year Ended: 
<S>                  <C>         <C>         <S>         <C>          <C>         

December 31, 1993  
Reserves deducted 
in balance sheet 
from assets to which 
they apply:
Doubtful accounts
 Utility             $      688  $      764               $      704  $      748
 Entech                     529         391  $         17        294         643

    Total            $    1,217  $    1,155  $        17  $      998  $    1,391


December 31, 1992
Reserves deducted 
in balance sheet 
from assets to which 
they apply:
Doubtful accounts
 Utility             $     628   $    1,361               $    1,301  $      688
 Entech                    387          345  $         3         206         529

    Total            $   1,015   $    1,706  $         3  $    1,507  $    1,217


December 31, 1991  
Reserves deducted 
in balance sheet 
from assets to which 
they apply:
Doubtful accounts
 Utility             $     628   $    1,278               $    1,278  $      628
 Entech                    395           75                       83         387

     Total           $   1,023   $    1,353               $    1,361  $    1,015


NOTES:  
(a) Deductions are of the nature for which the reserves were created.  In the
    case of the reserve for doubtful accounts, deductions from this reserve are
    reduced by recoveries of amounts previously written off.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                     THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       SCHEDULE IX - SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS (a)
                                Thousands of Dollars

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A         COLUMN B    COLUMN C    COLUMN D     COLUMN E      COLUMN F   
                                               Maximum     Average       Weighted
   Category of                    Weighted     amount       amount       average
   aggregate           Balance    average    outstanding  outstanding  interest rate
   short-term          at end     interest   during the   during the    during the
   borrowings         of period     rate       period     period (b)   period (b)(c)

Year Ended: 
<S>                  <C>              <C>    <C>          <C>                  <C>
December 31, 1993  
Notes payable to 
banks
 Utility             $   43,900       3.48%  $    57,200  $    18,639          4.17%
 Entech                   8,000       3.65%       22,300       11,070          3.74%

    Total            $   51,900       3.51%  $    57,200  $    29,709          4.01%

Commercial Paper
 Utility                                     $    20,000  $     6,729          3.46%
 Entech              $   16,965       3.50%       21,000       12,401          3.38%

    Total            $   16,965       3.50%  $    21,000  $    19,130          3.41%

December 31, 1992
Notes payable to 
banks 
 Utility             $   34,300       3.90%  $    54,000  $    11,819          5.07%
 Entech                  13,000       4.15%       19,900        7,156          4.51%

    Total            $   47,300       3.97%  $    54,000  $    18,975          4.86%

Commercial Paper 
 Utility             $   16,000       4.22%  $    16,000  $     5,036          4.89%


December 31, 1991  
Notes payable to 
banks 
 Utility             $   48,500       5.41%  $    48,500  $     9,120          7.64%
 Entech                   8,800       5.79%       14,000        2,609          7.19%
   
    Total            $   57,300       5.46%  $    48,500  $    11,729          7.54%

Commercial Paper
 Utility                                     $    43,500  $     7,686          6.99%


NOTES:  
(a) For information pertaining to the general terms of each category of aggregate
    short-term borrowings, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  
(b) The average amount outstanding during the period is calculated using a daily
    weighted average.  The weighted average interest rate during the period is
    calculated by dividing the interest expense for the year by the average amount
    outstanding.  
(c) Includes commitment fees for lines of credit.  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                     THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
               SCHEDULE X - SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
                                Thousands of Dollars
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1993             1992             1991   
Charged to costs and expenses:

UTILITY DIVISION:
<S>                                     <C>              <C>              <C>       

Maintenance and repairs                 $   38,534       $   34,239       $   36,321
Amortization of costs deferred 
  to future operating periods
     (Note a)                                8,357           13,792            6,750

Taxes and other than income taxes:
 Ad valorem                             $   40,438       $   38,221       $   35,099
 Federal and state social security           5,423            5,196            4,879
 Other                                       5,988            4,311            4,317

    Total                               $   51,849       $   47,728       $   44,295

Royalties                               $    2,248       $    2,060       $    3,111


ENTECH:

Maintenance and repairs                 $   31,701       $   31,811       $   31,398

Taxes and other than income taxes:
 Ad valorem                             $    4,832       $    4,498       $    3,860
 Federal and state social security           4,421            4,531            3,753
 Coal gross proceeds                         4,492            5,950            5,117
 Federal reclamation fee                     5,097            5,824            5,787
 Severance                                  14,693           17,866           17,022
 Other                                       9,041           10,040            8,389

    Total                               $   42,576       $   48,709       $   43,928

 Royalties                              $   33,750       $   37,256       $   29,156


INDEPENDENT POWER GROUP:

Maintenance and repairs                 $    3,780       $    4,541       $    2,791

Taxes and other than income taxes:
 Ad valorem                             $    3,689       $    3,465       $    3,501
 Federal and state social security           2,132              520              207
 Other                                         300              346              334

    Total                               $    6,121       $    4,331       $    4,042

Note a:  Certain carrying costs in 1991 related to Colstrip Unit No. 3 have been
reclassified to electric production retirements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                                  SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY



By /s/ Daniel T. Berube                  
   Daniel T. Berube 
   (Chairman of the Board)



Date March 22, 1994


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  

           Signature                         Title                  Date     




/s/ Daniel T. Berube               Principal Executive
Daniel T. Berube                   Officer and Director        March 22, 1994
(Chief Executive Officer)



/s/ J. P. Pederson                 Principal Financial
J. P. Pederson                     and Accounting Officer      March 22, 1994
(Vice President and Chief            and Director
  Financial Officer)



/s/ J. J. Burke                    Director                    March 22, 1994
J. J. Burke



/s/ Alan F. Cain                   Director                    March 22, 1994
Alan F. Cain

<PAGE>
/s/ R. D. Corette                  Director                    March 22, 1994
R. D. Corette


/s/Kay Foster                      Director                    March 22, 1994
Kay Foster


/s/ Robert P. Gannon               Director                    March 22, 1994
Robert P. Gannon


/s/ Beverly D. Harris              Director                    March 22, 1994
Beverly D. Harris


/s/ Chase T. Hibbard               Director                    March 22, 1994
Chase T. Hibbard


/s/ Daniel P. Lambros              Director                    March 22, 1994
Daniel P. Lambros


/s/ Carl Lehrkind, III             Director                    March 22, 1994
Carl Lehrkind, III


/s/ James P. Lucas                 Director                    March 22, 1994
James P. Lucas


/s/ Arthur K. Neill                Director                    March 22, 1994
Arthur K. Neill


/s/ George H. Selover              Director                    March 22, 1994
George H. Selover


/s/ N. E. Vosburg                  Director                    March 22, 1994
N. E. Vosburg

<PAGE>
                      Consent of Independent Accountants

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 33-64922, to
the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 33-43655, to the incorporation by
reference in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 No. 33-64576, to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 33-24952, to
the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 33-28096, to the incorporation by
reference in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 No. 33-32275 and to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 33-55816 of
our report dated February 10, 1994 appearing on page 41 of The Montana Power
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.  



PRICE WATERHOUSE




Portland, Oregon
March 28, 1994
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 3(a)(1)
  Restated Articles of Incorporation

Exhibit 3(a)(2)
  Amendments to the Restated Articles of Incorporation

Exhibit 4(r)
  Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture

Exhibit 12
  Statement re computation of ratio of earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 21
  Subsidiaries of the registrant


                                                         06/13/88
               RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                              OF
                    THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY

     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 58 of the Montana
Business Corporation Act, the undersigned Corporation adopts the
following Restated Articles of Incorporation:  
     ARTICLE I.  The name of the Corporation is The Montana Power
Company.  
     ARTICLE II.  The objects and purposes for which The Montana
Power Company is formed are as follows:  
     To manufacture, produce, generate, store, acquire, purchase,
sell, control, use, dispose of, transmit, distribute and supply
electricity and electrical energy or any other power or force in
any form and for any purpose whatsoever; 
     To purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, hold, use, operate,
sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of machinery, generators,
motors, plants, apparatus, devices and supplies of every kind
pertaining to or otherwise connected with the production, use,
transmission, distribution, regulation, control or application of
electricity or electrical energy; 
     To transform power generated by hydraulic or other plants
into electrical or other energy for any and all purposes; 
     To purchase, mine, produce, process, sell, distribute, use,
lease, or otherwise acquire, use, or dispose of coal, coal mines,
coal properties, machinery, appliances, and equipment of every
kind and nature whatsoever used or useful in connection with the
mining, production, transportation, use, sale or disposition of
coal, coal mines or coal properties; 
     To purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, hold, use, operate,
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all water rights, water
powers and water privileges; 
     To construct, purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, use,
operate, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of hydraulic, electric
and other works, plants, buildings, machinery, equipment, pipe
lines, distributing systems, transmission lines, dams, flumes,
ditches, canals, apparatus, devices or processes for use in
connection with such works; 
     To acquire, buy, hold, own, sell, lease, exchange, dispose
of, transmit, distribute, deal in, use, manufacture, produce,
furnish and supply bus service, natural or artificial gas, light,
heat, ice, refrigeration, water and steam in any form and for any
purposes whatsoever, and any power or force or energy in any form
and for any purposes whatsoever; 
     To construct, purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, hold,
use, operate, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of natural gas,
manufactured gas, gas works, gas plants, gas transmission
systems, distributing systems, gas reserves, gas rights, gas
storage fields and facilities and all properties of any kind
whatsoever used or useful in the gas business, together with
licenses, permits, authorizations or consents of every kind and
nature whatsoever which may be used or useful in connection with
any or all of the foregoing; 
     To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, use, operate, sell,
lease or otherwise dispose of machinery, engines, mechanical
devices and articles of every character and description; 
     To acquire, build, construct, equip, own and operate street
railways and other railway properties of all kinds and
descriptions and with any kind of motive power, and to sell and
lease the same, but the powers in this paragraph set forth shall
be exercised only in connection with and as part of the other
objects and purposes referred to in this Article; 
     To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, use, operate, sell,
lease, or otherwise dispose of such real and personal estate,
property rights, rights-of-way, easements, privileges, grants,
consents and franchises, individually or in association with
others, as may be necessary for or appropriate to or useful in
connection with the business and purposes of the company; 
     To apply for, purchase or otherwise acquire, and to hold,
use, own, operate and to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of,
and to grant or receive licenses in respect of or otherwise to
turn to account any and all inventions, improvements, patents,
patent rights, processes, trademarks and trade names, secured by
or issued under the laws of the United States of America or of
any other government or country; 
     To acquire by purchase or otherwise, and to hold, invest in,
sell, or otherwise dispose of the shares, bonds, debentures and
other evidences of indebtedness of any persons, firms,
associations and corporations, including the Corporation created
by these Articles; and when owner of any such shares, bonds,
debentures, securities or other obligations, to exercise all the
rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right
to vote thereon for any and all purposes; to aid in any manner
any corporation whose shares, bonds, debentures or other
obligations are owned or held by it, or in the shares, bonds,
debentures, securities or other obligations of which it is in any
way interested; and to guarantee the shares, bonds, debentures,
securities or other act or thing for the preservation,
protection, improvement or enhancement of the value of any such
shares, bonds, debentures, securities or obligations; 
     To construct, operate and maintain facilities for the
service of water to the public; 
     Without limitation to hold, purchase, mortgage and convey
real and personal property of every kind and description in any
state or territory of the United States or elsewhere; 
     In general, to do all such things as are incidental or
conducive to the accomplishment of the foregoing purposes, and to
engage in any and all lawful business whatever necessary or
convenient therefor, with all rights, privileges and powers now
or hereafter granted by the State of Montana to corporations.  
     ARTICLE III.  Unless and until changed in the manner
provided by law, the address of the registered office of the
Corporation in the State of Montana is 40 East Broadway, Butte,
and the name of its registered agent at such address is
T. 0. McElwain.  
     ARTICLE IV.  The period of duration of this Corporation
shall be perpetual.  
     ARTICLE V.  The number of Directors of this Corporation
shall be fixed by the Bylaws, but shall be not less than
three (3) nor more than eighteen (18).  In the absence of a Bylaw
fixing the number of directors, the number of Directors shall be
eleven (11).
     ARTICLE VI.  No Director of the Corporation shall be
personally liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director;
provided, however, that this Article VI shall not eliminate or
limit the liability of a Director to the extent provided by
applicable law (a) for a breach of the Director's duty of loyalty
to the Corporation or its shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions
that constitute willful misconduct, recklessness, or a knowing
violation of law, (c) under 35-1-409 of the Montana Code
Annotated, (d) for a transaction from which the Director derives
an improper personal benefit, or (e) for any act or omission
occurring prior to the effective date of this Article VI.  No
amendment to or repeal of this Article VI shall apply to or have
any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Director
of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions
of such Director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.  
     ARTICLE VII.  The aggregate number of shares which the
Corporation has authority to issue is 65,000,000 shares without
nominal or par value, consisting of 5,000,000 Preferred shares
and 60,000,000 Common shares.
     At the date hereof, the aggregate number of shares, issued
and unissued, itemized by class and series, if any, within each
class is as follows:  
                Issued           Unissued            Total  

Common        23,750,936        36,249,064        60,000,000

Preferred:

     $6.00 Series     159,589
     $4.20 Series      60,000
     $2.15 Series   1,200,000
     Undesignated                3,580,411         5,000,000

     (a)  The Preferred shares shall be issued from time to time
in one or more series.  The shares of any such series shall bear
such distinctive serial designation as shall be stated and
expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of such shares from time to time adopted by the Board of
Directors; and in such resolution or resolutions providing for
the issue of shares of each particular series, the Board of
Directors is expressly empowered to fix:  
           1.  The dividend rate for the particular series, and
     the date or dates from which dividends on shares of such
     series shall be cumulative; 
           2.  The terms on which the shares of the particular
     series may be redeemed; 
           3.  The amount which shall be paid to the holders of
     shares of the particular series in the case of dissolution
     or any distribution of assets; and 
           4.  The terms or amount of any sinking fund provided
     for the purchase or redemption of the shares of the
     particular series.  
          All of the Preferred shares of any one series shall be
identical in all respects, except as to the dates from which
dividends thereon shall be cumulative; and all of the Preferred
shares shall be of equal rank, regardless of series, and shall be
identical in all respects except as herein otherwise provided.  
     (b)  The holders of Preferred shares at the time outstanding
shall be entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by
the Board of Directors, out of the surplus or net profits of the
Corporation, payable in the case of each series at the annual
dividend rate for that particular series theretofore fixed by the
Board of Directors as hereinbefore provided.  Such dividends on
Preferred shares shall be cumulative from the date or dates
theretofore fixed for the purpose by the Board of Directors, as
hereinbefore provided, so that if dividends on all outstanding
shares of each particular series of the Preferred shares, at the
annual dividend rate fixed by the Board of Directors, as
hereinbefore provided, shall not have been paid or declared and
set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and for the
current dividend periods, the deficiency shall be fully paid or
dividends equal thereto declared and set apart for payment at
said rate, but without interest, before any dividends on the
Common shares shall be paid or declared and set apart for
payment.  No dividends shall be paid or declared and set apart
for payment on any series of Preferred shares for any particular
dividend period unless at the same time all unpaid dividends, if
any, on all the outstanding Preferred shares for all dividend
periods terminating prior to or concurrently with the termination
of such particular dividend period shall be paid or declared and
set apart for payment thereon.  Dividends may be paid upon the
Common shares only when dividends at the respective annual
dividend rates fixed by the Board of Directors, as hereinbefore
provided, upon all the outstanding Preferred shares shall have
been paid or declared and set apart for payment for all past
dividend periods and for the then current dividend periods, but
whenever there shall have been paid or declared and set apart for
payment all such dividend upon the Preferred shares, as
aforesaid, then dividends upon the Common shares may be declared
payable then or thereafter out of any surplus or net profits then
remaining.  The holders of shares of each series of the Preferred
shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends thereon
other than the aforesaid dividends at the annual dividend rate
for the particular series fixed by the Board of Directors, as
hereinbefore provided.  
          Dividends may also be declared and paid in cash out of
depletion reserves in the manner and to the extent provided by
law.  
     (c)  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation or any distribution of
capital, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
Preferred shares at the time outstanding shall be entitled to be
paid the amount fixed by the Board of Directors, as hereinbefore
provided, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the
holders of Common shares.  The holders of the Preferred shares
shall not be entitled to receive any distributive amounts upon
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation or upon any distribution of capital other than the
distributive amounts at the rates for the respective series fixed
by the Board of Directors, as hereinbefore provided, but, after
such payment to the holders of the Preferred shares, the
remaining assets and funds of the Corporation (subject to the
rights of any class of shares hereafter authorized) shall be
divided and distributed among the holders of the Common shares
alone according to their respective shares.  
     (d)  A consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the
Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations
shall not be deemed a distribution of assets of the Corporation
within the meaning of any of the provisions hereof.  
     (e)  Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, each holder
of record of Preferred or Common shares shall be entitled to one
vote for each share of stock held by him, except that holders of
Preferred shares shall not be entitled to notice of or to vote at
any annual or special meeting of shareholders called for the
purpose of redeeming the whole or any part of the Preferred
shares at the time outstanding, and except that at all elections
for Directors, each holder of Preferred or Common shares shall be
entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of his
Preferred or Common shares multiplied by the number of Directors
to be elected, and may cast all of such votes in person or by
proxy for a single Director, or may distribute them among the
number to be voted for, or any two or more of them as he may see
fit.  
     (f)  No holder of Preferred shares shall be entitled as
such, as a matter of right, to subscribe for or purchase any part
of any new or additional issue of stock of any class whatsoever,
or of securities convertible into stock of any class whatsoever,
whether now or hereafter authorized or whether issued for cash,
for a consideration other than cash or by way or dividend.  
     (g)  Upon any issue for money or other consideration of any
shares of the Corporation that may be authorized from time to
time, no holder of shares, irrespective of the kind of such
shares, shall have any preemptive or other right to subscribe
for, purchase or receive any proportionate or other share of the
shares so issued, but the Board of Directors may dispose of all
or any portion of such shares as and when it may determine free
of any such rights, whether by offering the same to shareholders
or by sale of other disposition, as said Board may deem
advisable.  
     (h)  The Corporation may redeem the whole or any part of the
Preferred shares at the time outstanding, or the whole or any
part of any series thereof, at any time or from time to time,
upon the terms fixed by the Board of Directors as hereinbefore
provided for the redemption of the Preferred shares to be
redeemed; provided, however, that no Preferred shares of the
$6 Series, the $4.20 Series or the $2.15 Series shall be redeemed
without either the written consent, or the affirmative vote at
any annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that
purpose, of the holders of record of a majority of the Common
shares issued and outstanding.  If less than all of the shares of
any particular series of the Preferred shares are to be redeemed,
the shares of such series to be redeemed shall be selected in
such manner as the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee
shall determine.  The Board of Directors by the vote or consent
of two-thirds (2/3) of all of the members thereof shall have the
power to select for redemption any particular share or shares of
the Preferred shares to be redeemed, designating the share or
shares of such Preferred shares so selected by the number or
numbers appearing on the then outstanding certificate or
certificates representing the shares so selected.  Notice of
intention of the Corporation to redeem Preferred shares and of
the date and place of redemption shall be mailed not less than
thirty (30) days (or in case the Board of Directors shall have
fixed a longer period as hereinbefore provided, then not less
than such longer period) before the date of redemption to each
holder of record of the shares to be redeemed, at his last known
post office address as shown by the records of the Corporation. 
The holders of any Preferred shares so called for redemption
shall, on the redemption date specified in such notice, cease to
be shareholders of the Corporation with respect to such shares
and all rights with respect to such Preferred shares so called
for redemption shall, on such redemption date, cease and
terminate except only the right of the holders thereof to receive
the redemption price therefor without interest.  
     At any time after such notice of redemption of any Preferred
shares has been mailed or otherwise given, the Corporation may
deposit, or may cause its nominee to deposit, the aggregate
redemption price (or the portion thereof not already paid in the
redemption of shares so to be redeemed) with any bank or trust
company in the State of Montana having a capital and undivided
surplus of not less than $500,000 named in a notice mailed to
holders of the shares called for redemption and represented by
certificates not theretofore surrendered, payable in the proper
amounts to the respective orders of the record holders of such
shares to be redeemed on endorsement, if required, and surrender
of their certificates for said shares, and from and after the
making of such deposit said holders shall have no interest in or
claim against the Corporation or its nominee, with respect to
said shares, but shall be entitled only to receive said moneys
from said bank or trust company, without interest, on
endorsement, if required, and surrender of their certificates as
aforesaid.  The Corporation shall be entitled to receive from any
such bank or trust company the interest, if any, allowed by said
bank or trust company on any moneys deposited as in this
paragraph provided, and the holders of any shares so redeemed
shall have no claim to any such interest.  Any moneys so
deposited and remaining unclaimed at the end of six years from
the date fixed for redemption shall, if thereafter requested by
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee, be repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such
repayment to the Corporation, such holders of record of the
shares so redeemed as shall not have made claim against such
moneys prior to such repayment to the Corporation, shall be
deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount
equivalent to the amount deposited as above-stated for the
redemption of such shares and so repaid to the Corporation, but
shall in no event be entitled to any interest.  If such deposit
shall be made by the nominee of the Corporation, as aforesaid,
such nominee shall upon such deposit become the owner of the
shares with respect to which such deposit is made, and
certificates for shares may be issued to such nominee in evidence
of such ownership.  
     The Corporation may require any shares so called for
redemption to be delivered, duly assigned to a nominee of the
Corporation upon payment by such nominee in the manner
hereinabove provided of all amounts payable on such redemption
with respect to said shares.  Any shares delivered to or acquired
by the nominee of the Corporation under the provisions hereof
shall be converted into or exchanged for such other securities of
the Corporation and on such terms as on or before such delivery
or acquisition may have been provided by the Corporation in
accordance with the next three paragraphs hereof.  
     The Corporation from time to time may resell any of its own
shares purchased or otherwise acquired by it as herein provided
for at such price as may be fixed by its Board of Directors or
Executive Committee.  
     The Corporation, in order to acquire funds with which to
redeem any Preferred shares of any class, may issue and sell
shares of any class then authorized but unissued, bonds, notes,
evidences of indebtedness or other securities.  
     The Board of Directors of the Corporation may at any time
authorize the conversion or exchange of the whole or any
particular share or shares of the outstanding Preferred shares of
any class, with the consent of the holder or holders thereof,
into or for shares of any other class at the time of such consent
authorized but unissued and may fix the terms and conditions upon
which such conversion or exchange may be made; provided that
without the consent of the holders of record of two-thirds (2/3)
of the Common shares outstanding given at a meeting of the
holders of the Common shares called and held as provided by the
Bylaws or given in writing without a meeting, the Board of
Directors shall not authorize the conversion or exchange of any
Preferred shares of any class into or for Common shares or
authorize the conversion or exchange of any Preferred shares of
any class into or for Preferred shares of any other class, if by
such conversion or exchange the amount which the holders of the
shares so converted or exchanged would be entitled to receive
either as dividends or shares in distribution of assets in
preference to the Common shares would be increased.  
     The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority,
subject to the limitations and provisions herein contained, to
prescribe the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon
which Preferred shares shall be redeemed from time to time.  
     (i)  Except as herein otherwise provided, upon the vote of a
majority of all of the Directors of the Corporation and of the
holders of record of a majority of the total number of shares
then issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such question
as herein stipulated, irrespective of class (or if the vote of a
larger number or different proportion of shares is required by
the laws of the State of Montana, notwithstanding the above
agreement of the shareholders of the Corporation to the contrary,
then upon the vote of the larger number or different proportion
of shares so required), the Corporation may from time to time
create or authorize one or more other classes of shares with such
preferences, designations, rights, privileges, powers,
restrictions, limitations and qualifications as may be determined
by said vote, which may be the same as or different from the
preferences, designations, rights, privileges, powers,
restrictions, limitations and qualifications of the classes of
shares of the Corporation then authorized.  Any vote authorizing
the creation of a new class of shares may provide that all moneys
payable by the Corporation with respect to any class of shares
thereby authorized shall be paid in the money of any foreign
country named therein or designated by the Board of Directors
pursuant to authority therein granted.  Any such vote may
authorize any shares of any class then authorized but unissued to
be issued as shares of such new class or classes.  
     So long as any of the Preferred shares are outstanding, the
Corporation shall not, without the consent (given by a vote at a
meeting called for that purpose) of the holders of at least two-
thirds of the total number of the Preferred shares then
outstanding.  
           1.  Create or authorize any new shares ranking prior
     to the Preferred shares as to dividends, in liquidation,
     dissolution, winding up or distribution, or create or
     authorize any security convertible into such shares; or 
           2.  Amend, alter, change or repeal any of the express
     terms of the Preferred shares then outstanding in a manner
     substantially prejudicial to the holders thereof.  
     (j)  All shares of the Corporation without nominal or par
value, whether authorized by these Articles or by subsequent
increase of capital or pursuant to any amendment hereof, may be
issued from time to time for such consideration as may be fixed
from time to time by the Board of Directors, and authority to the
Board of Directors so to fix such consideration is hereby granted
by the shareholders; and any and all shares so issued, the full
consideration for which shall have been paid or delivered, shall
be conclusively deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable and the
holders thereof shall not be liable to the Corporation or its
creditors in respect thereof.  
     At the time of the issue of any shares without nominal or
par value, the Board of Directors may determine conclusively in
the exercise of their reasonable discretion what capital
valuation shall be placed upon any property (other than money)
acquired by the Corporation in payment upon original issue of any
of its shares without nominal or par value.  
     (k)  The Corporation may issue securities, notes, bonds,
debentures or other obligations convertible into shares of any
class, in the amounts and on such terms as may be provided by
resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the
shares issued upon conversion thereof shall not have prior or
superior rights and preferences to the shares of any class
outstanding at the time the convertible securities, notes, bonds,
debentures or other obligations are issued, and the issuance of
such shares shall not substantially prejudice the holders of
shares of any class outstanding at the time such convertible
securities, notes, bonds, debentures or other obligations are
issued.  
           1.  The Corporation may issue notes, bonds, debentures
     and other obligations of the Corporation in such amounts and
     upon such terms and conditions as may be authorized by
     resolution of the Board of Directors.  
     ARTICLE VIII.  Unless the laws of the State of Montana
otherwise provide, any action which at any meeting of
shareholders requires the vote, assent or consent of two-
thirds (2/3) in interest of all the shareholders or of two-
thirds (2/3) in interest of each class of shareholders having
voting powers, or which requires such assent or consent in
writing to be filed, may be taken upon the assent of and the
assent given and filed of two-thirds (2/3) in interest of the
shareholders present and voting at such meeting in person or by
proxy; provided that where assent by classes is required, such
assent shall be given by two-thirds (2/3) in interest of each
class so present and voting.
     ARTICLE IX.  The Board of Directors may appoint from the
Directors an Executive Committee, of which a majority shall
constitute a quorum, and to such extent as shall be provided in
the Bylaws, such Executive Committee shall have and may exercise
all of the delegable powers of the Board of Directors, including
power to cause the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all
papers that may require it.
     The power of appointment of committees (other than the
Executive Committee) and of Officers (other than the President,
the Vice Presidents, the Secretary and the Treasurer) and other
persons employed by the Company may to the extent permitted by
the Bylaws be delegated by the Board of Directors to the
President or to the Executive Committee.
     The Board of Directors shall have the power from time to
time to fix and to determine and to vary the amount of the
working capital of the Corporation, and to direct and determine
the use and disposition of any surplus or net profits over and
above the capital paid in.  
     The Board of Directors from time to time shall determine
whether and to what extent, and at what times and places and
under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of
the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection
of the shareholders, and no shareholder shall have any right to
inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation,
except as conferred by Statute or authorized by the Board of
Directors, or by a resolution of the shareholders.  
     ARTICLE X.  The shareholders may alter or amend the Bylaws
of the Corporation by a majority vote (or if required by the laws
of the State of Montana, a larger number or different proportion
of the shares outstanding) of all the outstanding shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote given at any meeting duly held as
provided in the Bylaws, the notice of which includes notice of
the proposed alterations or amendment.  The Board of Directors
may also alter or amend the Bylaws at any time by affirmative
vote of a majority (or if required by the laws of the State of
Montana, a larger number or different proportion of the members
of the Board of Directors) of the Board of Directors given at a
duly convened meeting of the Board of Directors, the notice of
which includes notice of the proposed alterations or amendments,
subject to the power of shareholders to change or repeal such
Bylaws; provided that the Board of Directors shall not make or
alter any Bylaw fixing their qualifications or changing the
number of shares required to constitute a quorum for a
shareholders' meeting.  
     ARTICLE XI.  A.  In addition to any affirmative vote
required by law or under any other provision of these Restated
Articles of Incorporation, and except as otherwise expressly
provided in paragraph B., a Business Combination (as hereinafter
defined) shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 70 percent of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock (as
hereinafter defined) of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of Directors ("Voting Shares").  Such
affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that
no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be
specified, by law or in any agreement with any national
securities exchange or otherwise.  
     B.   The provisions of paragraph A. of this Article shall
not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and
such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative
vote as is required by law and any other provision of these
Restated Articles of Incorporation, if all of the conditions
specified in subparagraphs 1. or 2. shall have been satisfied:  
           1.  The Business Combination shall have been approved
     by two-thirds (whether such approval is made prior to or
     subsequent to the acquisition of beneficial ownership of the
     Voting Shares that caused the 10% Shareholder [as
     hereinafter defined] to become a 10% Shareholder) of the
     Continuing Directors (as hereinafter defined); or 
      2.  All of the following conditions shall have been met:  

          (a)  The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair
     Market Value (as hereinafter defined) 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 shares in such Business Combination shall be at least
     equal to the highest amount determined under clauses (i) and
     (ii) below:
               (i) (if applicable) The highest per share price
          (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes
          and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by or on behalf of
          the 10% Shareholder for any Common shares in connection
          with the acquisition by the 10% Shareholder of
          beneficial ownership of Common shares (A) within the
          two-year period immediately prior to the first public
          announcement of the proposed Business Combination (the
          "Announcement Date") or (B) in the transaction in which
          it became a 10% Shareholder, whichever is higher; and 
               (ii) The Fair Market Value per Common share on the
          Announcement Date or on the date on which the
          10% Shareholder became a 10% Shareholder (such latter
          date referred to in this Article as the "Determination
          Date"), whichever is higher.  
                    All per share prices and Fair Market Values
          shall be adjusted to reflect any intervening stock
          splits, stock dividends and reverse stock splits.  
          (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 or
     series of outstanding Capital Stock, other than Common
     shares, shall be at least equal to the highest amount
     determined under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below:  
               (i) (if applicable) The highest per share price
          (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes
          and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by or on behalf of
          the 10% Shareholder for any share of such class or
          series of Capital Stock in connection with the
          acquisition by the 10% Shareholder of beneficial
          ownership of shares of such class or series of Capital
          Stock (A) within the two-year period immediately prior
          to the Announcement Date or (B) in the transaction in
          which it became a 10% Shareholder, whichever is higher. 
          
               (ii) The Fair Market Value per share of such class
          or series of Capital Stock on the Announcement Date or
          on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and 

               (iii) (if applicable) The highest preferential
          amount per share to which the holders of shares of such
          class or series of Capital Stock would be entitled in
          the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
          dissolution or winding up of the corporation,
          regardless of whether the Business Combination to be
          consummated constitutes such an event.  
                    All per share prices and Fair Market Values
          shall be adjusted for intervening stock splits, stock
          dividends and reverse stock splits.  
                    The provisions of this subparagraph (b) shall
          be required to be met with respect to every class or
          series of outstanding Capital Stock, whether or not the
          10% Shareholder has previously acquired beneficial
          ownership of any shares of a particular class or series
          of Capital Stock.  
          (c)  The consideration to be received by holders of a
     particular class or series of outstanding Capital Stock
     (including Common shares) shall be cash or in the same form
     as previously has been paid by or on behalf of the
     10% Shareholder in connection with its direct or indirect
     acquisition of beneficial ownership of shares of such class
     or series of Capital Stock.  If the consideration so paid
     for shares of any class or series of Capital Stock varied as
     to form, the form of consideration for such class or series
     of Capital Stock shall be either cash or the form used to
     acquire beneficial ownership of the largest number of shares
     of such class or series of Capital Stock previously acquired
     by the 10% Shareholder.
          (d)  After such 10% Shareholder has become a
     10% Shareholder 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) in
          accordance with the terms of the outstanding Preferred
          shares; 
               (ii) there shall have been (A) no reduction in the
          annual rate of dividend paid on the Common shares
          (except as necessary to reflect any stock split, stock
          dividend or subdivision of the Common Shares), except
          as shall have been 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 Common shares, unless the failure so to
          increase such annual rate shall have been approved by
          two-thirds of the Continuing Directors; and
               (iii) such 10% Shareholder shall have not become
          the beneficial owner of any additional Voting Shares
          except as part of the transaction which results in such
          10% Shareholder becoming a 10% Shareholder and except
          in a transaction that, after giving effect thereto,
          would not result in any increase in the
          10% Shareholder's percentage beneficial ownership of
          any class or series of Capital Stock.  
          (e)  After such 10% Shareholder has become a
     10% Shareholder, such 10% Shareholder shall not have:  
               (i) received the benefit, directly or indirectly
          (except proportionately as a shareholder), 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; or 
               (ii) made any major change in the Corporation's
          business or equity capital structure without the
          approval of two-thirds of the Continuing Directors.  
          (f)  A proxy or information statement describing the
     proposed Business Combination and complying with the
     requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
     rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent
     provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations) shall
     have been mailed to holders of outstanding Voting Shares of
     the Corporation at least thirty (30) 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).  The proxy
     or information statement shall contain on the first page
     thereof, in a prominent place, any statement as to the
     advisability (or inadvisability) of the Business Combination
     that the Continuing Directors, or any of them, may choose to
     make and, if deemed advisable by a majority of the
     Continuing Directors, the opinion of an investment banking
     firm selected by a majority of the Continuing Directors as
     to the fairness (or lack thereof) of the terms of the
     Business Combination from a financial point of view to the
     holders of the outstanding Voting Shares other than the
     10% Shareholder and its Affiliates or Associates (as
     hereinafter defined).  
C.   For the purposes of this Article:  
      1.  The term "Business Combination" shall mean:  
          (a) any merger, consolidation or share exchanges of the
     Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with:

                (i) any 10% Shareholder, or
               (ii) any other company (whether or not such other
          company is a 10% Shareholder) which is, or after such
          merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate or
          Associate of a 10% Shareholder; or 
          (b)  any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
     transfer or other disposition or security arrangement,
     investment, loan, advance, guarantee, agreement to purchase,
     agreement to pay, extension of credit, joint venture
     participation or other arrangement (in one transaction or a
     series of transactions) with or for the benefit of any
     10% Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any
     10% Shareholder involving any assets, securities or
     commitments of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an
     aggregate Fair Market Value and/or involving aggregate
     commitments of five million dollars ($5,000,000) or more; 
          (c)  the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any
     Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related
     transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any
     Subsidiary to any 10% Shareholder or any Affiliate or
     Associate of any 10% Shareholder in exchange for cash,
     securities or other property (or a combination thereof)
     having an aggregate Fair Market Value of five million
     dollars ($5,000,000) or more; 
          (d)  the adoption of any plan or proposal for the
     liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or
     on behalf of any 10% Shareholder or any Affiliate or
     Associate of any 10% Shareholder; 
          (e)  any reclassification of any securities of the
     Corporation (including any reverse stock split),
     recapitalization or reorganization of the Corporation,
     merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any
     Subsidiary, or any other transaction (whether or not with or
     otherwise involving a 10% Shareholder or any Affiliate or
     Associate of any 10% Shareholder) that 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
     that is beneficially owned by any 10% Shareholder or any
     Affiliate or Associate of any 10% Shareholder; or
          (f)  any other transaction or series of transactions
     that is similar in purpose or effect to, or any agreement,
     contract or other arrangement providing for any one or more
     of the actions specified in the foregoing subparagraphs (a)
     through (e).  
     2. A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation
or other entity and shall include any group comprised of any
person and any other person with whom such person or any
Affiliate or Associate of such person has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of Capital
Stock.  

      3.  "10% Shareholder"  shall mean, in respect of any
Business Combination, any person or Affiliate or Associate (other
than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit
sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan
of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any trustee or fiduciary
of any such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which, as
of the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled
to notice of and to vote on such Business Combination, or
immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:  
          (a)  is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
     of not less than ten percent of the Voting Shares; or 
          (b)  is an Affiliate or Associate of the Corporation
     and at any time within three (3) years prior thereto was the
     beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than
     ten percent of the then outstanding Voting Shares; or
          (c)  is an assignee or has otherwise succeeded to
     control of any Voting Shares of the Corporation which were
     at any time within three (3) years prior thereto
     beneficially owned by any 10% Shareholder, 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.  

      4.  A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting
Shares:  
          (a)  which such person or any of its Affiliates and
     Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or 
          (b)  which such person or any of its Affiliates or
     Associates has, directly or indirectly 
               (i) 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, options, or
          otherwise, or
               (ii) 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 first
     mentioned 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 Voting
     Shares.  
      5.  Voting Shares shall include shares deemed beneficially
owned through application of subparagraph 4 above but shall not
include any Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon exercise of
conversion rights, warrants, options, or otherwise.

      6.  "Continuing Director" shall mean any member of the
Board of Directors who is not an Affiliate or Associate or
representative of the 10% Shareholder and who was a member of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation prior to the date as of
which any 10% Shareholder acquired in excess of five percent of
the then outstanding Voting Shares, or a person designated
(before his initial election as a Director) as a Continuing
Director by a majority of the then Continuing Directors.  
      7.  In the event of any Business Combination in which the
Corporation survives, the phrase "consideration other than cash
to be received" shall mean Common shares and/or the shares of any
other class of outstanding Voting Shares of the Corporation
retained by the holders of such shares.  
      8.  "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings given those terms in Rule l2b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in
effect on January 1, 1986.  
     9.   "Subsidiary" means any company 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 10% Shareholder set forth in subparagraph 3 of this
paragraph C., the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a company of
which a majority of each class of equity security is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.  

     10.  The term "Capital Stock" shall mean all capital stock
of this Corporation authorized to be issued from time to time
under these Articles of Incorporation as amended from time to
time.  
     11.  The term "Fair Market Value" means:  
          (a)  in the case of shares, the highest closing sale
     price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the
     date in question of such a share on the New York Stock
     Exchange; and
          (b)  in the case of property other than cash or shares,
     the fair market value of such property on the date in
     question as determined by a majority of Continuing Directors
     then on the Board.  
     D.   A majority of the Continuing Directors shall have the
power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article on
the basis of information known to them:  
           1.  The number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by
     any person,
           2.  Whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of
     another,
           3.  Whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or
     understanding with another as to the matters referred to in
     subparagraph 4 of paragraph C. of this Article, 
          4.   Whether the assets which are the subject of any
     Business Combination have an aggregate Fair Market Value of
     five million dollars ($5,000,000) or more, and
          5.   Any other matters with respect to which a
     determination is required under this Article.  Any such
     determinations made in good faith shall be binding and
     conclusive on all parties.  
     E.   Consideration for shares to be paid to any shareholder
pursuant to this Article shall be the minimum consideration
payable to the shareholder and shall not limit a shareholder's
right under any provision of law or otherwise to receive greater
consideration for any shares of the Corporation.  
     F.   The fact that any Business Combination complies with
the provisions of subparagraph B.2. of this Article shall not be
construed to impose any fiduciary duty, obligation or
responsibility on the Board of Directors, or any member thereof,
to approve such Business Combination or recommend its adoption or
approval to the shareholders of the Corporation, nor shall such
compliance limit, prohibit or otherwise restrict in any manner
the Board, or any member thereof, with respect to evaluations of
or actions and responses taken with respect to such Business
Combination.
     G.   Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Restated
Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation any
amendment, alteration, change or repeal of this Article shall
require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
70 percent of the then outstanding Voting Shares; provided that
this paragraph G. shall not apply to, and such 70 percent vote
shall not be required for, any amendment, alteration, change or
repeal recommended to the shareholders by two-thirds of the
Continuing Directors.  
     H.   Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to
relieve any 10% Shareholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed
by law.  
     ARTICLE XII.  These Restated Articles of Incorporation
correctly set forth without change the corresponding provisions
of the Articles of Incorporation as heretofore amended and hereby
amended, and supersede the original articles of incorporation and
all amendments thereto.  


Dated June 10, 1988


                              _______________________________
                              Vice President



                              _______________________________
                              Assistant Secretary
120\94048C02

              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND CERTIFICATE
        OF ADOPTION OF RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                               OF
                    THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY

     Pursuant to Sections 35-1-209 and 35-1-213, M.C.A., the
undersigned corporation hereby makes the following statement:  
     FIRST:  The name of the corporation is THE MONTANA POWER
COMPANY.  
     SECOND:  The annexed Restated Articles of Incorporation of
THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY were adopted by the shareholders on
May 10, 1988.  
     THIRD:  The number of shares outstanding, and the number of
shares of each class entitled to vote thereon was:  
                 Class                     No. of Shares

               Common                        23,750,936
               Preferred                      1,419,589

                 Total                       24,170,525

     FOURTH:  (a)  The number of shares voted for and against the
Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation was:  
                                            No. Voted Against
                 No. Voted for Restated     Restated Articles
   Class       Articles of Incorporation    of Incorporation 

All Classes           19,901,320                 755,210

No class of shares is entitled to vote as a class on the
Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation.  
     (b)  The number of shares voted for and against the
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation adding a new
Article VI, relating to the liability of Directors, and
renumbering the existing Article VI and those following was:  

                     No. Voted for          No. Voted Against
   Class             the Amendment            the Amendment  

All Classes            19,901,320                755,210

No class of shares is entitled to vote as a class on the
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.  
     FIFTH:  Neither the Restated Articles of Incorporation nor
the Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation provide for an
exchange, reclassification or cancellation of issued shares.  

<PAGE>
DATED:  June 10, 1988



                              THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY


                              By ___________________________
                                 Vice President
(SEAL)


                              By ___________________________
                                 Assistant Secretary



STATE OF MONTANA      )
                      )  ss.
County of Silver Bow  )

     I, the undersigned Notary Public, do hereby certify that on
this 10th day of June 1988, personally appeared before me John
Carl, who, being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is a
Vice President of THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY, that he signed the
foregoing document as Vice President of the Corporation, and that
the statements therein contained are true.  



                              ______________________________
                              Notary Public for the State of
(SEAL)                          Montana
                              Residing at Butte, Montana
                              My Commission expires ________

120\94048C01
                      ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                             to the
                               of
                    THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY

     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 35-1-209, MCA, the
undersigned corporation adopts the following Articles of
Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation.  
     FIRST:  The name of the corporation is THE MONTANA POWER
COMPANY.  
     SECOND:  The following amendment to its Articles of
Incorporation was adopted by the shareholders of the corporation
on May 8, 1990, in the manner prescribed by the Montana Business
Corporation Act.  
     The first paragraph of Article VI of the Restated Articles
of Incorporation of the corporation is amended to read as
follows:  

          "The aggregate number of shares which the corporation
     has authority to issue is 125,000,000 shares without nominal
     or par value, consisting of 5,000,000 Preferred shares and
     120,000,000 Common shares."  


     THIRD:  The number of Common shares of the corporation
outstanding at the time of such adoption was 49,613,012 Common
shares having no par value; and the number of such shares
entitled to vote thereon was 49,456,153.  The number of Preferred
shares of the corporation outstanding at the time of such
adoption was 1,419,589 Preferred shares having no par value; and
the number of such shares entitled to vote thereon was 1,419,589. 
     FOURTH:  The vote to increase the number of authorized
Common shares was as follows:  
                                  For              Against 
          Common              39,015,717          2,267,098
          Preferred            1,074,899             54,306

            Total             40,090,616          2,321,404


DATED:  May 15, 1990

                              THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY


                                                            
                              Vice President


(SEAL)
                                                            
                              Assistant Secretary


STATE OF MONTANA     )
                     )ss.
County of Silver Bow )

     I, the undersigned Notary Public, do hereby certify that on
this 15th day of May 1990, personally appeared before me John
Carl, who, being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is a
Vice President of THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY, that he signed the
foregoing document as Vice President of the Corporation, and that
the statements therein contained are true.  

                                                                 
                           Notary Public for the State of Montana 
(SEAL)                     Residing at Butte, Montana
                           My Commission expires                 

120\94049H01
                 ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                           
                        to  the

          RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                          of

               THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY


     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 35-1-619, Montana Code
Annotated, the undersigned corporation adopts the following
Articles of Amendment to its Restated Articles of Incorporation.
     FIRST:    The name of the corporation is THE MONTANA POWER
COMPANY.
     SECOND:   On August 24, 1993 and October 26, 1993, the Board
of Directors of the corporation established and designated a
Fourth Series of Preferred Stock, determining with respect to
such Series the dividend rate, periods and payment dates, the
redemption prices and the amount to be paid in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
corporation or any distribution of its capital, and authorized
the amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation set forth
below under THIRD. 
     THIRD:    The text of the amendment so authorized is as
follows, and will be inserted as a new, undesignated subparagraph
at the end of Section (a) of Article VII of the Restated Articles
of Incorporation: <PAGE>
     Fourth Series
          The Fourth Series of Preferred Stock of the Company
     (the "Fourth Series"), consists of 500,000 shares designated
     as "Preferred Stock, $6.875 Series," and has the relative
     rights, preferences and limitations as set forth in these
     Restated Articles of Incorporation, and as follows:
          (A)  The dividend rate for the Fourth Series shall
     be $6.875 per share per annum; quarterly periods ending
     January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31 of each
     year hereby are established as the regular dividend
     periods for the shares of such Series and dividends for
     such periods shall be payable, in arrears, on  
     February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each
     year; provided, however, the first dividend shall be
     payable, in arrears, on February 1, 1994, for the
     period from the date of the original issue through
     January 31, 1994; and dividends on shares of the Fourth
     Series shall be cumulative from the date of original
     issue;
          (B)  The shares of the Fourth Series shall not be
     redeemable prior to November 1, 2003; the shares shall be
     redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in
     part, at any time upon not less than thirty (30) days'
     notice, on and after November 1, 2003, at the redemption
     prices per share set forth below, plus, in each case,
     accumulated but unpaid dividends to the date of redemption:



              Redemption Period                Price  

     November 1, 2003 to October 31, 2004    $103.438 
     November 1, 2004 to October 31, 2005    $103.094 
     November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2006    $102.750 
     November 1, 2006 to October 31, 2007    $102.406 
     November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2008    $102.063 
     November 1, 2008 to October 31, 2009    $101.719 
     November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2010    $101.375 
     November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011    $101.031 
     November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012    $100.688 
     November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013    $100.344 
     November 1, 2013 and thereafter         $100.000

          (C)  The amount which shall be paid to the holders of
     shares of the Fourth Series in the event of any liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company or
     any distribution of its capital, whether voluntary or
     involuntary, before any distribution or payment shall be
     made to the holders of Common Stock, shall be $100 per
     share, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends.
<PAGE>
     FOURTH:   Shareholder approval of these Articles of
Amendment is not required.

DATED:    October 26, 1993.

                              THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY



                              _____________________________
                              Vice President and Secretary
(SEAL)


                              ____________________________
                                   Assistant Secretary




STATE OF MONTANA         )
                         ) ss.
County of Silver Bow     )

     I, the undersigned, Notary Public, do hereby certify that on
this 26th day of October, 1993, personally appeared before me P.
K. Merrell, who, being by me first duy sworn, declared that she
is Vice President and Secretary of THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY,
that she signed the foregoing document as Vice President and
Secretary of the corporation, and that the statements therein
contained are true.

    (SEAL)
                         ______________________________________
                         Notary Public for the State of Montana
                              Residing at Butte, Montana
                         My Commission expires 10/29/94.


p:\artamed2.pkm


                                            
                                                       
                                                       




                                                                       


                       THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY


                                  TO


                     MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
                              OF NEW YORK

             (formerly Guaranty Trust Company of New York)


                                  AND


                             P.J. CROWLEY

            (successor to Arthur E. Burke, Karl R. Henrich,
                     H. H. Gould and R. Amundsen),


                     As Trustees under The Montana
                     Power Company's Mortgage and
                      Deed of Trust, dated as of
                            October 1, 1945


                                               

                  SEVENTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                  Providing, among other things, for
              First Mortgage Bonds, 5.90% Series due 2023
                                               


                     Dated as of December 1, 1993
                                                                       
                                                                       

<PAGE>
                  SEVENTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE


                                              



           SEVENTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of
December 1, 1993, between THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY, a corpo-
ration of the State of Montana (successor by merger to The
Montana Power Company, a corporation of the State of New Jersey),
whose post office address is 40 East Broadway, Butte, Montana
59701 (hereinafter sometimes called the Company), and MORGAN
GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, a corporation of the State of
New York (formerly Guaranty Trust Company of New York), whose
post office address is 60 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10260
(hereinafter sometimes called the Corporate Trustee) and P.J.
CROWLEY (successor to Arthur E. Burke, Karl R. Henrich, H. H.
Gould and R. Amundsen), whose post office address is 22 Wayne
Street, Montvale, N.J. 07645 (said P.J. Crowley being hereinafter
sometimes called the Co-Trustee, and the Corporate Trustee and
the Co-Trustee being hereinafter together sometimes called the
Trustees), as Trustees under the Mortgage and Deed of Trust,
dated as of October 1, 1945 (hereinafter called the Mortgage and,
together with any indentures supplemental thereto, hereinafter
sometimes called the Indenture), which Mortgage was executed and
delivered by The Montana Power Company, a corporation of the
State of New Jersey (hereinafter sometimes called the Company--
New Jersey) to Guaranty Trust Company of New York and Arthur E.
Burke, to secure the payment of bonds issued or to be issued
under and in accordance with the provisions of the Mortgage,
reference to which Mortgage is hereby made, this instrument
(hereinafter called the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture) being
supplemental thereto;

           WHEREAS, the Mortgage was or is to be recorded in the
official records of various counties in the states of Montana and
Wyoming, which counties include or will include all counties in
which this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture is to be recorded;
and

           WHEREAS, by the Mortgage, the Company--New Jersey
covenanted that it would execute and deliver such supplemental
indenture or indentures and such further instruments and do such
further acts as might be necessary or proper to carry out more
effectually the purposes of the Indenture and to make subject to
the lien of the Indenture any property thereafter acquired, made
or constructed and intended to be subject to the lien thereof;
and

           WHEREAS, the Company--New Jersey executed and delivered
to the Trustees its First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May
1, 1954 (hereinafter called the First Supplemental Indenture);
its Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1959
(hereinafter called the Second Supplemental Indenture); and

           WHEREAS, the Company--New Jersey was merged into the
Company on November 30, 1961, and to evidence the succession of
the Company to the Company--New Jersey and the assumption by the
Company of the covenants and conditions of the Company--New
Jersey in the bonds and in the Indenture contained and to enable
the Company to have and exercise the powers and rights of the
Company--New Jersey under the Indenture in accordance with the
terms thereof, the Company executed and delivered to the Trustees
its Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 30, 1961
(hereinafter called the Third Supplemental Indenture); and

           WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered to the
Trustees its Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 1,
1970 (hereinafter called the Fourth Supplemental Indenture); its
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1971
(hereinafter called the Fifth Supplemental Indenture); its Sixth
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1974 (hereinafter
called the Sixth Supplemental Indenture); its Seventh
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1974 (hereinafter
called the Seventh Supplemental Indenture); its Eighth
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1975 (hereinafter
called the Eighth Supplemental Indenture);  its Ninth Supplement-
al Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1975 (hereinafter called
the Ninth Supplemental Indenture); its Tenth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1979 (hereinafter called the
Tenth Supplemental Indenture); its Eleventh Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1983 (hereinafter called the
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture); its Twelfth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1984 (hereinafter called the
Twelfth Supplemental Indenture); its Thirteenth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1991 (hereinafter called the
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture); its Fourteenth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1993 (hereinafter called the
Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture); its Fifteenth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1993 (hereinafter called the
Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture) and its Sixteenth Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1993 (hereinafter called the
Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture); and

           WHEREAS, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth,
Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth,
Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Supplemental In-
dentures were or are to be recorded in the official records of
various counties in the states of Montana and Wyoming, which
counties include or will include all counties in which this
Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture is to be recorded; and

           WHEREAS, an instrument dated March 15, 1955 was
executed by the Company--New Jersey appointing Karl R. Henrich as
Co-Trustee in succession to said Arthur E. Burke, resigned, under
the Mortgage and by Karl R. Henrich accepting the appointment as
Co-Trustee under the Mortgage in succession to said Arthur E.
Burke, which instrument was recorded in various counties in the
states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming; and


           WHEREAS, an instrument dated June 29, 1962 was executed
by the Company appointing H. H. Gould as Co-Trustee in succession
to said Karl R. Henrich, resigned, under the Mortgage and by H.
H. Gould accepting the appointment as Co-Trustee under the
Mortgage in succession to said Karl R. Henrich, which instrument
was recorded in various counties in the states of Montana, Idaho
and Wyoming; and

           WHEREAS, an instrument dated June 22, 1973 was executed
by the Company appointing R. Amundsen as Co-Trustee in succession
to said H. H. Gould, resigned, under the Mortgage and by R.
Amundsen accepting the appointment as Co-Trustee under the
Mortgage in succession to said H. H. Gould, which instrument was
recorded in various counties in the states of Montana, Idaho and
Wyoming; and

           WHEREAS, an instrument dated July 1, 1986 was executed
by the Company appointing P.J. Crowley as Co-Trustee in
succession to said R. Amundsen, resigned, under the Mortgage and
by P.J. Crowley accepting the appointment as Co-Trustee under the
Mortgage in succession to said R. Amundsen, which instrument was
recorded in various counties in the states of Montana, Idaho and
Wyoming; and

           WHEREAS, in addition to the property described in the
Mortgage, the Company has acquired certain other property, rights
and interests in property; and

           WHEREAS, the Company--New Jersey or the Company has
heretofore issued, in accordance with the provisions of the
Mortgage, the following series of First Mortgage Bonds:

                                                             Principal
                                        Principal Amount      Amount
               Series                        Issued         Outstanding   

2-7/8% Series due 1975 . . . . . . .     $  40,000,000         NONE
3-1/8% Series due 1984 . . . . . . .         6,000,000         NONE
4-1/2% Series due 1989 . . . . . . .        15,000,000         NONE
8-1/4% Series due 1974 . . . . . . .        30,000,000         NONE
7-1/2% Series due 2001 . . . . . . .        25,000,000      $25,000,000
8-5/8% Series due 2004 . . . . . . .        60,000,000         NONE
8-3/4% Series due 1981 . . . . . . .        30,000,000         NONE
9.60% Series due 2005. . . . . . . .        35,000,000         NONE
9.70% Series due 2005. . . . . . . .        65,000,000         NONE
9-7/8% Series due 2009 . . . . . . .        50,000,000         NONE
11-3/4% Series due 1993. . . . . . .        75,000,000         NONE
10/10-1/8% Series due 2004/2014. . .        80,000,000       80,000,000
8-1/8% Series due 2014 . . . . . . .        41,200,000         NONE
7.70% Series due 1999. . . . . . . .        55,000,000       55,000,000
8-1/4% Series due 2007 . . . . . . .        55,000,000       55,000,000
8.95% Series due 2022. . . . . . . .        50,000,000       50,000,000
Secured Medium-Term Notes. . . . . .        43,000,000       43,000,000
7% Series due 2005 . . . . . . . . .        50,000,000       50,000,000
6-1/8% Series due 2023 . . . . . . .        90,205,000       90,205,000


which bonds are also hereinafter sometimes called bonds of the
First through Nineteenth Series, respectively; and

           WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Mortgage provides that the
form of each series of bonds (other than the First Series) issued
thereunder and of the coupons to be attached to coupon bonds of
such series shall be established by Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company and that the form of such series, as
established by said Board of Directors, shall specify the
descriptive title of the bonds and various other terms thereof,
and may also contain such provisions not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Indenture as the Board of Directors may, in its
discretion, cause to be inserted therein expressing or referring
to the terms and conditions upon which such bonds are to be
issued and/or secured under the Indenture; and

           WHEREAS, Section 120 of the Mortgage provides, among
other things, that any power, privilege or right expressly or
impliedly reserved to or in any way conferred upon the Company by
any provision of the Indenture, whether such power, privilege or
right is in any way restricted or is unrestricted, may be in
whole or in part waived or surrendered or subjected to any
restriction if at the time unrestricted or to additional
restriction if already restricted, and the Company may enter into
any further covenants, limitations or restrictions for the bene-
fit of any one or more series of bonds issued thereunder, or the
Company may cure any ambiguity contained therein or in any
supplemental indenture or may (in lieu of establishment by
Resolution as provided in Section 8 of the Mortgage) establish
the terms and provisions of any series of bonds other than said
First Series, by an instrument in writing executed and
acknowledged by the Company in such manner as would be necessary
to entitle a conveyance of real estate to record in all of the
states in which any property at the time subject to the lien of
the Indenture shall be situated; and

           WHEREAS, the Company now desires to create a new series
of bonds and (pursuant to the provisions of Section 120 of the
Mortgage) to add to its covenants and agreements contained in the
Mortgage certain other covenants and agreements to be observed by
it and to alter and amend in certain respects the covenants and
provisions contained in the Indenture; and

           WHEREAS, the execution and delivery by the Company of
this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, and the terms of the
bonds of the Twentieth Series, hereinafter referred to, have been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company by
appropriate Resolutions of said Board of Directors;

           NOW THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:  That the
Company, in consideration of the premises and of $1.00 to it duly
paid by the Trustees at or before the ensealing and delivery of
these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and
in further evidence of assurance of the estate, title and rights
of the Trustees and in order further to secure the payment of
both the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the
bonds from time to time issued under the Indenture, according to
their tenor and effect and the performance of all the provisions
of the Indenture (including any modification made as in the
Mortgage provided) and of said bonds, and to confirm the lien of
the Mortgage on certain after-acquired property, hereby grants,
bargains, sells, releases, conveys, assigns, transfers,
mortgages, pledges, sets over and confirms (subject, however, to
Excepted Encumbrances as defined in Section 6 of the Mortgage)
unto P.J. Crowley and (to the extent of its legal capacity to
hold the same for the purposes hereof) to Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as Trustees under the Indenture, and to
their successor or successors in said trust, and to said Trustees
and their successors and assigns forever, all property, real,
personal and mixed, of the kind or nature specifically mentioned
in the Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, or of any other kind
or nature (whether or not located in the State of Montana),
acquired by the Company after the date of the execution and
delivery of the Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented (except any
herein or in the Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, expressly
excepted), now owned or, subject to the provisions of subsection
(I) of Section 87 of the Mortgage, hereafter acquired by the
Company (by purchase, consolidation, merger, donation,
construction, erection or in any other way) and wheresoever
situated, including (without in anywise limiting or impairing by
the enumeration of the same the scope and intent of the foregoing
or of any general description contained in the Indenture) all
lands, power sites, flowage rights, water rights, water
locations, water appropriations, ditches, flumes, reservoirs,
reservoir sites, canals, raceways, dams, dam sites, aqueducts,
and all other rights or means for appropriating, conveying, stor-
ing and supplying water; all rights of way and roads; all plants
for the generation of electricity by steam, water and/or other
power; all power houses, gas plants, street lighting systems,
standards and other equipment incidental thereto, telephone,
radio and television systems, air-conditioning systems and
equipment incidental thereto, water works, water systems, steam
heat and hot water plants, substations, lines, service and supply
systems, bridges, culverts, tracks, ice or refrigeration plants
and equipment, offices, buildings and other structures and the
equipment thereof; all machinery, engines, boilers, dynamos,
electric, gas and other machines, regulators, meters,
transformers, generators, motors, electrical, gas and mechanical
appliances, conduits, cables, water, steam heat, gas or other
pipes, gas mains and pipes, service pipes, fittings, valves and
connections, pole and transmission lines, wires, cables, tools,
implements, apparatus, furniture and chattels; all franchises,
consents or permits; all lines for the transmission and
distribution of electric current, gas, steam heat or water for
any purpose including towers, poles, wires, cables, pipes,
conduits, ducts and all apparatus for use in connection
therewith; all real estate, lands, easements, servitudes,
licenses, permits, franchises, privileges, rights of way and
other rights in or relating to real estate or the occupancy of
the same and (except as herein or in the Mortgage, as heretofore
supplemented, expressly excepted) all the right, title and
interest of the Company in and to all other property of any kind
or nature appertaining to and/or used and/or occupied and/or
enjoyed in connection with any property hereinbefore or in the
Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, described.

           TOGETHER with all and singular the tenements,
hereditaments, prescriptions, servitudes and appurtenances
belonging or in anywise appertaining to the aforesaid property or
any part thereof, with the reversion and reversions, remainder
and remainders and (subject to the provisions of Section 57 of
the Mortgage) the tolls, rents, revenues, issues, earnings,
income, product and profits thereof, and all the estate, right,
title and interest and claim whatsoever, at law as well as in
equity, which the Company now has or may hereafter acquire in and
to the aforesaid property and franchises and every part and
parcel thereof.

           IT IS HEREBY AGREED by the Company that, subject to the
provisions of subsection (I) of Section 87 of the Mortgage, all
the property, rights, and franchises acquired by the Company (by
purchase, consolidation, merger, donation, construction, erection
or in any other way) after the date hereof, except any herein or
in the Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, expressly excepted,
shall be and are as fully granted and conveyed hereby and as
fully embraced within the lien hereof and the lien of the Mort-
gage, as supplemented, as if such property, rights and franchises
were now owned by the Company and were specifically described
herein and conveyed hereby.

           PROVIDED that the following are not and are not
intended to be now or hereafter granted, bargained, sold,
released, conveyed, assigned, transferred, mortgaged, hy-
pothecated, affected, pledged, set over or confirmed hereunder
and are hereby expressly excepted from the lien and operation of
the Mortgage, as supplemented, namely:  (1) cash, shares of
stock, bonds, notes and other obligations and other securities
not specifically pledged, paid, deposited, delivered or held
under the Mortgage, as supplemented, or covenanted so to be; (2)
merchandise, equipment, apparatus, materials or supplies held for
the purpose of sale or other disposition in the usual course of
business; fuel, oil and similar materials and supplies consumable
in the operation of any of the properties of the Company; all
aircraft, tractors, rolling stock, trolley coaches, buses, motor
coaches, automobiles, motor trucks, and other vehicles and
materials and supplies held for the purpose of repairing or
replacing (in whole or part) any of the same; (3) bills, notes
and accounts receivable, judgments, demands and chooses in
action, and all contracts, leases and operating agreements not
specifically pledged under the Mortgage, as supplemented, or
covenanted so to be; the Company's contractual rights or other
interest in or with respect to tires not owned by the Company;
(4) the last day of the term of any lease or leasehold which may
be or become subject to the lien of the Mortgage, as
supplemented; (5) electric energy, gas, steam, water, ice, and
other materials or products generated, manufactured, produced,
purchased or acquired by the Company for sale, distribution or
use in the ordinary course of its business; all timber, minerals,
mineral rights and royalties and all Gas and Oil Production Prop-
erty, as defined in Section 4 of the Mortgage; (6) the Company's
franchise to be a corporation; and (7) any property heretofore
released pursuant to any provisions of the Indenture and not
heretofore disposed of by the Company; provided, however, that
the property and rights expressly excepted from the lien and
operation of the Mortgage, as supplemented, in the above
subdivisions (2) and (3) shall (to the extent permitted by law)
cease to be so excepted in the event and as of the date that
either or both of the Trustees or a receiver or trustee shall
enter upon and take possession of the Mortgaged and Pledged
Property in the manner provided in Article XIII of the Mortgage
by reason of the occurrence of a Default as defined in Section 65
thereof.

           TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all such properties, real, personal
and mixed, granted, bargained, sold, released, conveyed,
assigned, transferred, mortgaged, pledged, set over or confirmed
by the Company as aforesaid, or intended so to be, unto P.J.
CROWLEY and (to the extent of its legal capacity to hold the same
for the purposes hereof) unto MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF
NEW YORK, as Trustees, and their successors and assigns forever.

           IN TRUST NEVERTHELESS, for the same purposes and upon
the same terms, trusts and conditions and subject to and with the
same provisos and covenants as are set forth in the Mortgage, as
supplemented, this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture being
supplemental thereto.

           AND IT IS HEREBY COVENANTED by the Company that all the
terms, conditions, provisos, covenants and provisions contained
in the Mortgage, as supplemented, shall affect and apply to the
property hereinbefore described and conveyed and to the estate,
rights, obligations and duties of the Company and the Trustees
and the beneficiaries of the trust with respect to said property,
and to the Trustees and their successors as Trustees of said
property in the same manner and with the same effect as if the
said property had been owned at the time of the execution of the
Mortgage, and had been specifically and at length described in
and conveyed to the Trustees, by the Mortgage as a part of the
property therein stated to be conveyed.

           The Company further covenants and agrees to and with
the Trustees and their successors in said trust under the
Indenture, as follows:



                               ARTICLE I

                       Twentieth Series of Bonds

           Section 1.  There shall be a series of bonds designated
"5.90% Series due 2023" (herein sometimes referred to as the
"Twentieth Series"), each of which shall also bear the
descriptive title "First Mortgage Bond", and the form thereof,
which shall be established by Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company, shall contain suitable provisions with
respect to the matters hereinafter  in this Section
specified.  Bonds of the Twentieth Series shall mature on
December 1, 2023, and shall be issued as  fully registered bonds
in denominations of Five Thousand Dollars and in any multiple or
multiples of Five Thousand Dollars; they shall
bear interest at the rate of 5.90% per annum, payable
semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year; the principal
of and interest on each said bond to be payable at the office or
agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of
America as at the time of payment is legal tender for public and
private debts.  Bonds of the Twentieth Series shall be dated as
in Section 10 of the Mortgage provided.

           At the option of the registered owner, any bonds of the
Twentieth Series, upon surrender thereof for cancellation at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, shall be exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of bonds of the same series of other authorized
denominations.

           Bonds of the Twentieth Series shall not be transferable
except to any successor trustee under the Indenture of Trust,
dated as of December 1, 1993, of the City of Forsyth, Rosebud
County, Montana (hereinafter referred to as the "Forsyth
Indenture"), relating to the City of Forsyth, Rosebud County,
Montana, Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (The Montana
Power Company Colstrip Project) Series 1993B (hereinafter
referred to as the "Forsyth Bonds"), any such transfer to be made
(subject to the provisions of Section 12 of the Mortgage) at the
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York.

           Upon any exchange or transfer of bonds of the Twentieth
Series, the Company may make a charge therefor sufficient to
reimburse it for any tax or taxes or other governmental charge,
as provided in Section 12 of the Mortgage, but the Company hereby
waives any right to make a charge in addition thereto for any
exchange or transfer of bonds of the Twentieth Series.

           Upon the delivery of this Seventeenth Supplemental
Indenture, bonds of the Twentieth Series in the aggregate
principal amount of $80,000,000 are to be issued forthwith and
will be Outstanding in addition to $25,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of bonds of the Fifth series, $80,000,000
aggregate principal amount of bonds of the Twelfth Series,
$55,000,000 aggregate principal amount of bonds of the Fourteenth
Series, $55,000,000 aggregate principal amount of bonds of the
Fifteenth Series, $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of bonds
of the Sixteenth Series, $43,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of bonds of the Seventeenth Series, $50,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of bonds of the Eighteenth Series and
$90,205,000 aggregate principal amount of bonds of the Nineteenth
Series Outstanding at the date of delivery of this Seventeenth
Supplemental Indenture.

           (I)  Upon the redemption, in whole or in part, of the
Forsyth Bonds, pursuant to Section 3.01(c) of the Forsyth
Indenture, bonds of the Twentieth Series shall be redeemed in
whole or in like part, as the case may be.  The Corporate Trustee
may conclusively presume that no redemption of bonds of the
Twentieth Series is required pursuant to this subdivision (I)
unless and until it shall have received a written notice from the
trustee under the Forsyth Indenture (hereinafter referred to as
the "Forsyth Trustee"), signed by its President, a Vice President
or a Trust Officer, stating that Forsyth Bonds are to be redeemed
pursuant to Section 3.01(c) of the Forsyth Indenture (said notice
is hereinafter referred to as the "Forsyth Redemption Demand"). 
The Forsyth Redemption Demand also shall state the date on which
the Forsyth Bonds are to be redeemed, the principal amount of
bonds of the Twentieth Series to be redeemed and that such amount
is equal to the principal amount of the Forsyth Bonds to be
redeemed and shall instruct the Corporate Trustee to call the
stated principal amount of bonds of the Twentieth Series for
redemption on the date on which the Forsyth Bonds are to be
redeemed.  The Forsyth Redemption Demand shall also contain a
waiver of notice of such redemption by the Forsyth Trustee, as
holder of all bonds of the Twentieth Series then Outstanding. 
The Corporate Trustee may conclusively presume the statements
contained in the Forsyth Redemption Demand to be correct. 
Redemption of bonds of the Twentieth Series shall be at the
principal amount of the bonds to be redeemed together with the
applicable accrued interest to the redemption date, and such
amount shall become due and payable on the redemption date.  The
Company hereby covenants that, if a Forsyth Redemption Demand
shall be delivered to the Corporate Trustee, the Company, subject
to subdivision (II) of this Article I, will deposit, on or before
the redemption date, with the Corporate Trustee, in accordance
with Article X of the Mortgage, an amount in cash sufficient to
redeem the bonds of the Twentieth Series so called for
redemption.

           (II) All bonds of the Twentieth Series shall be issued
and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Forsyth
Trustee (or, subject to Section 6.11 of the Forsyth Indenture,
its nominee) in order to provide for the payment of the Company's
obligation to make certain payments under the Loan Agreement,
dated as of December 1, 1993, between the Company and the City of
Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana, relating to the Forsyth Bonds. 
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and interest on bonds of the Twentieth Series
shall be fully or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and
discharged to the extent that, at the time that any such payment
shall be due, there shall be in the Bond Fund established
pursuant to the Forsyth Indenture sufficient available funds to
fully or partially pay the then due principal of and interest on
the Forsyth Bonds.  The Corporate Trustee may conclusively
presume that the obligation of the Company to make payments with
respect to the principal of and interest on bonds of the
Twentieth Series shall have been fully satisfied and discharged
unless and until the Corporate Trustee shall have received a
written notice from the Forsyth Trustee, signed by its President,
a Vice President or a Trust Officer, stating (i) that there are
not sufficient available funds in such Bond Fund to make timely
payment of the principal of or interest on the Forsyth Bonds, and
(ii) the amount of funds required to make such payment.  The
Corporate Trustee may conclusively presume the statements
contained in any such notice to be correct.

<PAGE>
                              ARTICLE II
                       Miscellaneous Provisions

           Section 2.  Subject to the amendments provided for in
this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, the terms defined in the
Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, shall, for all purposes of
this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, have the meanings spe-
cified in the Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented.

           Section 3.  The Trustees hereby accept the trusts
herein declared, provided, created or supplemented and agree to
perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein and in the
Mortgage, as heretofore supplemented, set forth and upon the
following terms and conditions:

           The Trustees shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of
this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of
the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made by
the Company solely.  In general, each and every term and
condition contained in Article XVII of the Mortgage shall apply
to and form part of this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture with
the same force and effect as if the same were herein set forth in
full with such omissions, variations and insertions, if any, as
may be appropriate to make the same conform to the provisions of
this Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture.

           Section 4.  Whenever in this Seventeenth Supplemental
Indenture any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, this
shall, subject to the provisions of Articles XVI and XVII of the
Mortgage, be deemed to include the successors and assigns of such
party, and all the covenants and agreements in this Seventeenth
Supplemental Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company,
or by or on behalf of the Trustees shall, subject as aforesaid,
bind and inure to the respective benefits of the respective suc-
cessors and assigns of such parties, whether so expressed or not.

           Section 5.  Nothing in this Seventeenth Supplemental
Indenture, expressed or implied, is intended, or shall be
construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any person, firm or
corporation, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the
bonds and coupons Outstanding under the Indenture, any right,
remedy or claim under or by reason of this Seventeenth
Supplemental Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation,
promise or agreement hereof, and all the covenants, conditions,
stipulations, promises and agreements in this Seventeenth
Supplemental Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company
shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties
hereto, and of the holders of the bonds and coupons Outstanding
under the Indenture.

           Section 6.  This Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture
shall be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be
an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY has
caused its corporate name to be hereunto affixed, and this
instrument to be signed and sealed by its President or one of its
Vice Presidents, and its corporate seal to be attested by its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries for and in its
behalf, and MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, in token
of its acceptance of the trust hereby created, has caused  its
corporate name to be hereunto affixed, and this instrument to be
signed and sealed by one of its Vice Presidents or one of its
Trust Officers, and its corporate seal to be attested by one of
its Assistant Secretaries, and P.J. Crowley, for all like
purposes, has hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal, as of
the day and year first above written.

                                      THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY


                                      By:                              
                                                 Vice President
Attest:

                                 
           Assistant Secretary


Executed, sealed and delivered by
THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY in the presence of:

                                 

                                 

                                      MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
                                        OF NEW YORK,
                                           as Corporate Trustee


                                      BY:                              
                                            Trust Officer
Attest:

                                 
           Assistant Secretary

                                                                       
                                            P.J. CROWLEY, as Co-
Trustee

Executed, sealed and delivered
by MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW
  YORK and P.J. CROWLEY in the presence of:

                                 

                                 

<PAGE>
STATE OF MONTANA           )
                           )  ss.:
COUNTY OF SILVER BOW       )



           On this 10th day of December, in the year 1993, before
me, Susan Hawke, a Notary Public in and for the State of Montana,
personally came and appeared J. P. Pederson, to me known and
known to me to be a Vice President of THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY,
the corporation that executed the within instrument, and ac-
knowledged to me that such corporation executed the same, and
being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at
1829 Utah Avenue, Butte, Montana; that he is a Vice President of
THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY, the corporation described in and which
executed the within and above instrument;  that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board
of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name
thereto by like order.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed my official seal the day and year in this certificate
first above written.




                                                                      
                                 Susan Hawke
                                 Notary Public, State of Montana
                                 Residing at Butte, Montana
                                 My Commission Expires June 1, 1996

<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK     )
                      )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK    )



           On this 14th day of December, 1993, before me, Thomas
J. Courtney, a Notary Public in and for the State of New York,
personally came and appeared Catherine F. Donohue, to me known
and known to me to be a Trust Officer of MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST
COMPANY OF NEW YORK, the corporation that executed the within
instrument, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed
the same, and, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that
she resides at Bronxville, New York; that she is a Trust Officer
of MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, the corporation de-
scribed in and which executed the within  and above instrument; 
that she knows the seal of said corporation;  that the seal
affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and that she signed her name thereto by like
authority.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed my official seal the day and year in this certificate
first above written.



                                                                       
                                 Thomas J. Courtney                    
                                 Notary Public, State of New York
                                    No. 24-4996233
                                 Qualified in Kings County
                                 Commission Expires May 11, 1994

<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK     )
                      )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK    )



           On this 14th day of December, in the year 1993, before
me, Thomas J. Courtney, a Notary Public in and for the State of
New York, personally came and appeared P.J. CROWLEY, known to me
to be one of the persons described in and who executed the within
and foregoing instrument, and whose name is subscribed thereto,
and acknowledged to me that he executed the same.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed my official seal the day and year in this certificate
first above written.




                                                                       
                                 Thomas J. Courtney
                                 Notary Public, State of New York
                                    No. 24-4996233
                                 Qualified in Kings County
                                 Commission Expires May 11, 1994


                                        
                                                                  
                                                      EXHIBIT 12  

                              


                   THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY



      Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                   (Dollars in Thousands)


                                               Twelve Months
                                                   Ended
                                            December 31, 1993
                                            ------------------  
    
      Net Income                                  $107,196

      Income Taxes                                  54,120
                                                 ----------
                                                  $161,316
                                                 ----------


      Fixed Charges:
          Interest                                $ 48,142
          Amortization of Debt Discount,
            Expense and Premium                      1,768
          Rentals                                   36,631
                                                 ----------
                                                  $ 86,541

                                                 ----------
      Earnings Before Income Taxes
        and Fixed Charges                         $247,857
                                                 ==========



      Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges            2.86 X
                                                 ==========

                                        




SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT                        Exhibit 21


                                                  Percentage
                                                  of Voting
                                                  Securities
                                                    Owned by
                                                  Registrant

Canadian-Montana Gas Company Limited
   An Alberta Corporation                            100

Canadian-Montana Pipe Line Company
   An Alberta Corporation                            100

Glacier Gas Company
   A Montana Corporation                             100

Colstrip Community Services Company
   A Montana Corporation                             100

Continental Energy Services, Inc.
   A Montana Corporation                             100

   EMPECO, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100

   EMPECO II, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100

   EMPECO III, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100

   EMPECO IV, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100

   EMPECO V, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100

   EMPECO VI - TE, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental
      Energy Services, Inc.)                         100


SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT                        Exhibit 21


                                                  Percentage
                                                  of Voting
                                                  Securities
                                                    Owned by
                                                  Registrant


   North American Energy Services Company
     A Washington Corporation
     (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental    
       Energy Services, Inc.)                        100

     Engineering Design & Associates
       A Washington Corporation 
       (A wholly-owned subsidiary of
        North American Energy Services Company)      100

     North American Contract Employee Services
       A Washington Corporation
       (A wholly-owned subsidiary of North 
        American Energy Services Company)            100 
   
   ECI Holdings, Ltd.
     Investment in English Partnership in a 
     Gas-fired Cogeneration Project
     (A 47.5% owned subsidiary of Continental
       Energy Services, Inc.)                         50  
   
   Entech, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation                           100

     Western Energy Company
       A Montana Corporation                         100

     Western Syncoal Company
       A Montana Corporation
       (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Western
        Energy Company)                              100

     Montana Participacoes, Ltda.
       A Brazilian Corporation
       (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Western
        Energy Company)                              100

       Financiera Ulkea Sociedad Anonima (SA)
         A Uruguayan Corporation
         (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Montana
          Participacoes, Ltda.)                      100




SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT                        Exhibit 21


                                                  Percentage
                                                  of Voting
                                                  Securities
                                                    Owned by
                                                  Registrant


  Northwestern Resources Co.
     A Montana Corporation                           100

  Altana Exploration Company
     A Montana Corporation                           100

     Altana Exploration (UK) Limited
        A United Kingdom Corporation
        (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Altana
         Exploration Company)                        100

     Intercontinental Energy Corporation
        A Texas Corporation
        (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Altana
         Exploration Company)                        100

  Entech Altamont, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation                           100

  Roan Resources, Ltd.
     An Alberta Corporation                          100

  North American Resources Company
     A Montana Corporation                           100

  Nortech Energy Corp.
     A Texas Corporation                              50

  Tetragenics Company
     A Montana Corporation                           100

  TRI Touch America, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation                           100

  Basin Resources, Inc.
     A Colorado Corporation                          100

  Horizon Coal Services, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation                           100






SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT                        Exhibit 21


                                                  Percentage
                                                  of Voting
                                                  Securities
                                                    Owned by
                                                  Registrant

  North Central Energy Company
     A Colorado Corporation                          100

  Trinidad Railway, Inc.
     A Montana Corporation                           100



Note:  The above listed companies are included in the             
       Consolidated Financial Statements of the registrant.







































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