May 11, 2010

Heather Grahame
 
 
 

Dear Heather,

NorthWestern Energy is pleased to offer you the full-time position of Vice
President and General Counsel with an anticipated start date of August 2,
2010.  Our offer is based on the following provisions:

 
1.     Your base salary will be $11,480 bi-weekly for an annual equivalent of
$298,480.

 
 
2.     You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis via direct deposit.

 
 
3.     For your position, NorthWestern Energy currently assigns a short-term
target incentive (STIP) level of forty percent (40%) and a long-term target
incentive (LTIP) level of fifty-five percent (55%) of earned base
salary.  Actual award, if any, is subject to company and individual
performance.  Plan provisions and target incentive levels may be subject to
change.

 
 
4.     You will be granted entrance into the Company’s 2010 Long Term Incentive
Plan in accordance with Plan provisions and your long-term incentive target. A
copy of the Plan is attached for your convenience.

 
 
5.   You will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $100,000 (less applicable
taxes) in the first regularly scheduled payroll after your actual start date.
Should your employment with NorthWestern end for any reason within 365 days of
your actual start date, you agree to reimburse in cash one-half ($50,000) to
NorthWestern.

 
 
6.   You will be granted fifteen years of service credit for the purpose of Paid
Time Off (PTO).

 
 
7.     You will be offered a one-time stock grant of 3,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock, with one-third vesting on your one-year anniversary
date, one-third vesting on your second-year anniversary date, and the remaining
one-third vesting on your third-year anniversary date. Any unvested shares will
be forfeited by you should your employment with NorthWestern Energy end.

 
 
8.     You are eligible for relocation assistance, in accordance with
NorthWestern Energy’s Relocation Policy, as follows:

 
 
a.
Lump Sum Allowance – A lump sum relocation payment in the amount of $30,000,
less all applicable taxes.

 
 
b.
Moving of Household Goods – Direct payment to an authorized moving company for
moving your household goods from your current residence to Helena, Montana.

 
 
9.     You must establish residence in your assigned work location of Helena,
Montana.  We expect your full household relocation to be completed on or before
October 31, 2011.  After this date, you will no longer be eligible for
relocation assistance, and your employment may be terminated.

 
 
10.  You must sign and return the attached Employee Relocation Repayment
Agreement and the remainder of your new hire paperwork before any payment can be
made.

 

 
 

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11.  You will be reimbursed through Accounts Payable for transitional expenses
for reasonable travel to your home in Anchorage and/or temporary accommodation
in Helena, not to exceed $3,000 per month or $36,000 total from acceptance of
this offer to October 31, 2011, or your permanent household relocation occurs,
whichever comes first,.  You must submit an expense report and receipts for
reimbursement of actual expenses.

 
 
12.  Under Montana law, you will be considered a probationary employee for 180
days from the date of your actual start.  During this probationary time your
employment may be terminated for any reason, with or without notice.

 
 
13.   This offer is contingent upon the following:

 
 
a.     In order to promote an ethical business environment, we require all new
employees to read and understand NorthWestern Energy’s Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics (Code of Conduct).  To indicate that you have done so, you must sign
and return the Acknowledgement page from the Code of Conduct.  If you have any
questions about the Code of Conduct, please contact Kari Stormo, HR Generalist,
at 605-978-2823.

 
 
b.     You must consent to and receive satisfactory results from a background
check.

 
Heather, we look forward to you joining the NorthWestern Energy team.  This
letter represents NorthWestern Energy’s offer to you.  If your understanding of
our offer differs in any way, please contact me immediately at 406-497-2354 or
Kari Stormo at 605-978-2823.  If you agree to this offer, please sign this
letter and return it to Kari Stormo by May 17, 2010.

Sincerely,
 
[ex10-5_grahameoffer.jpg]
 
Robert C. Rowe
President and Chief Executive Officer

o Agreed to and accepted by: ________________________
Date:  ______________________
 
o Declined by:  _____________________________________
Date:  ______________________