Document:

Exhibit 10(a)

    Exhibit
      10(a)

    

      

        CONFIRMATION
          LETTER NO. 3 - FIRM (LD) to the

        MASTER
          POWER PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

        Dated
          October 15, 2001 (as amended) 

        

        This
          confirmation letter shall confirm the Transaction agreed to on July 5,
          2006,
          between NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION, doing business as NORTHWESTERN ENERGY
          (“Party
          A”)
          and
          PPL MONTANA, LLC, by and through its duly authorized agent, PPL ENERGYPLUS,
          LLC
          (“Party
          B”)
          regarding the sale/purchase of the Product under the terms and conditions
          as
          follows:

        Seller:
          PPL
          MONTANA, LLC, by and through its duly authorized agent, PPL ENERGYPLUS,
          LLC

        Buyer:
          NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy

        Product:

        [] Into
          _________________, Seller’s Daily Choice

        [X] Firm
          (LD)

        [] Firm
          (No
          Force Majeure)

        [] System
          Firm 

        (Specify
          System: __________________________________________________)

        [] Unit
          Firm

        (Specify
          Unit(s): __________________________________________________)

        [] Other
          __________________________________________________

        [] Transmission
          Contingency (If not marked, no transmission contingency)

        
          	
                  []

                	
                  FT-Contract
                    Path Contingency

                	
                  []

                	
                  Seller

                	
                  []

                	
                  Buyer
                    

                
	
                  []

                	
                  FT-Delivery
                    Point Contingency

                	
                  []

                	
                  Seller

                	
                  []

                	
                  Buyer

                
	
                  []

                	
                  Transmission
                    Contingent

                	
                  []

                	
                  Seller

                	
                  []

                	
                  Buyer

                
	
                  []

                	
                  Other
                    transmission contingency

                	 	 	 	 

        

        (Specify:
          __________________________________________________)

        Contract
          Term:
          July 5,
          2006, through June 30, 2014.

        Contract
          Quantity 

        and

        
          	
                  Delivery
                    Period:
                    

                	
                  July
                    1, 2007 through June 30, 2010: 325 MWh/hr “On-Peak” hours and 175 MWh/hr
                    “Off- Peak” hours. 

                   

                  July
                    1, 2010 through June 30, 2012: 275 MWh/hr “On-Peak” hours and 150 MWh/hr
                    “Off-Peak” hours.

                   

                  July
                    1, 2012 through June 30, 2014: 200 MWh/hr “On-Peak” hours and 125 MWh/hr
                    “Off-Peak” hours.

                   

                

        

        “On-Peak”
hours
          are Hour Ending (“HE”) 0700 through HE 2200 PPT, Monday through Saturday,
          excluding NERC Holidays.

        “Off-Peak”
hours
          are all hours that are not “On-Peak” hours.

         

        Delivery
          Points:

        Primary
          Delivery Points:

        Party
          A
          shall designate each of the following delivery points (each, a “Primary Delivery
          Point”), in a Delivery Point Maximum Quantity (as hereinafter defined) equal
          to
          the amount set forth opposite the applicable Delivery Point, as a firm
          network
          delivery point into Party A’s Transmission System (as hereinafter defined) under
          the Network Service Agreement (as hereinafter defined):

        
          

            
              	
                      Primary
                        Delivery Point

                    	
                      Delivery
                        Point Maximum Quantity

                    
	
                      Rainbow,
                        Cochrane, Ryan:

                                                the
                        69 kV bus located at Party A’s Rainbow Substation, or

                                               
                        the 100 kV bus located at Party A’s Rainbow Substation

                    	
                      75
                        MW

                    
	
                      Corette             the
                        100 kV bus in Party A’s Billings Steam Plant switchyard

                    	
                      100
                        MW

                    
	
                      Colstrip
                        1-2      the
                        230kV bus in Party A’s Colstrip switchyard

                    	
                      150
                        MW

                       

                    

            

          

        

        “Delivery
          Point Maximum Quantity”
means
          the maximum transmission capacity amount designated in accordance with
          the terms
          and conditions of this Agreement, for deliveries and receipts of energy
          under
          this Agreement at any Primary Delivery Point.

         

        “Party
          A’s Transmission System”
means
          each and all of the transmission facilities that are owned, operated or
          controlled by Party A, and any and all transmission facilities that are
          sold,
          transferred or assigned by Party A to any person or entity acquiring, at
          any
          time during the term of this Agreement, all or substantially all of the
          transmission facilities owned, operated or controlled by Party A. Without
          limiting the foregoing, in the event that any facilities comprising part
          of
          Party A’s Transmission System are at any time during the term of this Agreement
          reclassified as distribution or generation integration facilities, such
          facilities shall nonetheless be and remain part of Party A’s Transmission System
          for purposes of this Agreement.

         

        “Network
          Service Agreement”
means
          each and every service agreement for network integration (or successor)
          transmission service entered into by Party A, in its capacity as default
          supplier, under Party A’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (as hereinafter
          defined) or the Open Access Transmission Tariff of any other transmission
          provider.

         

        “Party
          A’s Open Access Transmission Tariff”
means
          the FERC-approved Open Access Transmission Tariff of Party A or of any
          other
          person or entity owning or operating any portion of Party A’s Transmission
          System, if such portion of Party A’s Transmission System does or might affect
          the rights or obligations of either Party under this Agreement.

         

        Party
          B
          may, in its sole discretion, allocate deliveries of the Product among Primary
          Delivery Points in any amounts that Party B elects, in each case up to
          the
          applicable Delivery Point Maximum Quantity at each Primary Delivery
          Point.

         

        Party
          B
          may upon mutual agreement of the Parties, with such agreement to not be
          unreasonably withheld, change Primary Delivery Points from time to time;
          provided,
          however,
          that
          Party B shall be entitled to change any Primary Delivery Point only to
          the
          extent that firm transmission capacity is available under the Network Service
          Agreement (and subject to Party A’s Open Access Transmission Tariff) at such
          time at such Delivery Point in the amount of the Delivery Point Maximum
          Quantity
          sought by the Parties. Effective upon any such change in Primary Delivery
          Points, Party A shall designate the new Primary Delivery Point, in an amount
          equal to the applicable Delivery Point Maximum Quantity, as a firm network
          delivery point into Party A’s Transmission System under the Network Service
          Agreement.

         

        In
          no
          event shall Party B incur any charge or cost whatsoever for or in connection
          with any change of any Primary Delivery Points. In no event shall Party
          B bear
          any risk, charge or cost whatsoever for or in respect of any network redispatch
          under or in connection with the Network Service Agreement, and Party A
          shall
          bear the entire risk thereof and each and all of the costs caused by or
          resulting therefrom.

         

        Alternate
          Delivery Points:

        Upon
          any
          request by Party B, Party A shall, without any charge to Party B, arrange
          with
          the applicable transmission provider for receipt of all or a portion of
          the
          Contract Quantity at one or more of the non-firm alternate Delivery Points
          set
          forth below (any such alternate Delivery Point, an “Alternate Delivery Point”)
          under the Network Service Agreement, at any on-system points of interconnection
          (including any generation integration points) or any points of interconnection
          of Party A’s Transmission System with any other transmission system or control
          area, in each case as requested by Party B and subject in each case to
          the
          availability of sufficient transmission capacity to receive such quantities
          at
          such Alternate Delivery Points. Any such Alternate Delivery Points shall
          be
          subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable transmission provider’s
          Open Access Transmission Tariff and all applicable FERC requirements, including
          as to priority of service (including cases of competing uses by Party A).
          If
          such Alternate Delivery Points are or become unavailable for any reason,
          Party B
          shall be required to deliver the applicable quantities to Party A at one
          or more
          Alternate Delivery Points or Primary Delivery Points.

         

        Alternate
          Delivery Points:

        PPL
          Westside Hydro Generation

        Thompson
          Falls:

        the
          100
          kV bus in the original Thompson Falls Powerhouse

        Kerr:

        the
          100
          kV bus in Party A’s Kerr Switchyard

        PPL
          Eastside Hydro Generation

        Mystic:

        the
          50 kV
          bus at Party A’s Line Creek Substation

        Madison:

        the
          100
          kV bus in Party A’s Bradley Creek Substation

        Hauser:

        the
          69 kV
          bus located in the Hauser Powerhouse

        Holter:

        the
          100
          kV bus located in the Holter Powerhouse

        Black
          Eagle:

        the
          100
          kV bus located at Party A’s Riverview Substation

        Morony:

        the
          100
          kV bus at Party A’s Great Falls switchyard

        Colstrip
          3-4  the
          500
          kV bus in Party A’s Colstrip switchyard

        Broadview  Party
          A’s
          Broadview Substation

        Party
          A interties  any
          intertie between Party A and an adjacent control area

        Other
          mutually agreed points

        In
          the
          event that Party A has reserved network service transmission capacity under
          the
          Network Service Agreement for designated network resources, and such
          transmission capacity is at any time available for deliveries and receipts
          of
          energy at any Alternate Delivery Points, Party A shall, upon any request
          by
          Party B, and without any charge to Party B, make such capacity available
          to
          Party B, for purposes of deliveries of energy under this Agreement, on
          a
          day-ahead basis (or further in advance, by mutual agreement of the Parties)
          prior to releasing any such transmission capacity for use by any other
          person
          under the applicable transmission provider’s Open Access Transmission
          Tariff.

         

        Contract
          Price:
          As set
          forth in Schedule 1 to this Confirmation.

        Other
          Charges: ____________________________________________________

         

        Special
          Condition #1:

         

        The
          Parties agree that the Credit and Collateral Requirements set forth in
          the
          Master Agreement (as subsequently amended) shall be applicable to this
          Transaction, except as specifically modified for purposes of this Transaction
          and as set forth below. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions
          of the Master Agreement and the provisions of this Confirmation regarding
          the
          Credit and Collateral Requirements, the provisions set forth in this
          Confirmation shall control.

        

        Demand
          for Performance Assurance.

        

        (a) Upon
          the
          occurrence or continuance of a Downgrade Event affecting a Party (the
“Pledgor”), the other Party (the “Secured Party”) may, on any Business Day,
          demand that the Pledgor provide Performance Assurance (in increments of
          $100,000) in the following amount:

        

        (1) If
          the
          Exposure Amount is negative, and the absolute value of the Exposure Amount
          exceeds Party A’s Collateral Threshold, then Party B shall, upon the occurrence
          of a Downgrade Event affecting Party A and on the terms and subject to
          the
          conditions of this Agreement, be entitled to demand Performance Assurance
          from
          Party A in an amount equal to of the difference between the absolute value
          of
          the Exposure Amount and such Collateral Threshold.

        

        (2) If
          the
          Exposure Amount is positive, and the Exposure Amount exceeds Party B’s
          Collateral Threshold, then Party A shall, upon the occurrence of a Downgrade
          Event affecting Party B and on the terms and subject to the conditions
          of this
          Agreement, be entitled to demand Performance Assurance from Party B in
          an amount
          equal to the difference between the Exposure Amount and such Collateral
          Threshold.

        

        (b) For
          purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have following
          meanings:

        

        “Exposure
          Amount” shall mean (i) the Mark-to-Market Amount (as defined below), less (ii)
          any and all amounts due from Party A to Party B under this Agreement, plus
          (iii)
          any and all amounts due from Party B to Party A under this
          Agreement.

        

        “Mark-to-Market
          Amount” shall mean the product of (a) the difference obtained (whether positive
          or negative) by subtracting (i) the Contract Price from (ii) the forward
          prices
          at the Mid-Columbia trading hub with no basis adjustment, as determined
          by
          reference to broker quotes and other relevant market information as of
          the date
          of the Secured Party’s demand for Performance Assurance hereunder, as determined
          by mutual agreement between Party A and Party B, and (b) the positive difference
          obtained by subtracting (i) the aggregate quantity of the Product (measured
          in
          MWh) delivered to Party A hereunder as of the date of the Secured Party’s demand
          for Performance Assurance hereunder from (ii) 13,600,800 MWh. In the event
          Party
          A and Party B are unable to reach agreement with respect to such forward
          prices
          under this paragraph before 5:00 p.m. Montana time on the next Business
          Day
          after the Secured Party’s demand for Performance Assurance, the Secured Party’s
          determination of such forward prices shall apply, subject to appeal pursuant
          to
          the dispute resolution provisions in the Master Agreement.

        

        “Collateral
          Threshold” shall mean, with respect to each Party, the applicable collateral
          threshold, if any, set forth for such Party in Schedule 2 to this
          Confirmation:

        

        Use
          of
          Cash Held as Performance Assurance.

        

        Secured
          Party shall not be entitled to commingle any cash provided as part of
          Performance Assurance. Instead, Secured Party shall appoint an agent which
          is a
          Qualified Institution (as hereinafter defined) (a “Custodian”) to hold cash for
          it. The holding of cash by a Custodian will be deemed to be the holding
          of cash
          by the Secured Party for which the Custodian is acting. If the Secured
          Party’s
          Custodian fails to be and remain a Qualified Institution, the Secured Party
          will
          transfer, or cause its Custodian to transfer, the cash to a (or another,
          as
          applicable) Qualified Institution within three (3) Business Days after
          the event
          triggering the Custodian’s inability to hold cash. The Secured Party shall not
          be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to any Performance Assurance
          in
          the possession or control of any Custodian, or for any diminution in the
          value
          thereof, by reason of its selection of the Custodian or the act or omission
          of
          any Custodian selected by the Secured Party in good faith, except to the
          extent
          such loss or damage result from such Custodian's willful misconduct or
          gross
          negligence.

        

        For
          purposes of this Section, “Qualified Institution” means a major U.S. commercial
          bank or a U.S. branch office of a foreign bank having, in either case,
          (i)
          assets of at least USD $10 billion and (ii) a Credit Rating from either
          or both
          of S&P and Moody’s, which Credit Rating is at least “A+” from S&P (in
          the event that such bank has a Credit Rating from S&P) or “A1” from Moody’s
          (in the event that such bank has a Credit Rating from Moody’s).

        

        To
          the
          extent a Qualified Institution holds cash for the benefit of Secured Party
          and
          Secured Party is obligated to pay interest to the Pledgor as provided herein,
          the Interest Amount shall be paid as follows: the Pledgor shall invoice
          the
          Secured Party quarterly setting forth the calculation of the Interest Amount
          due, and the Secured Party shall make payment thereof by the later of (a)
          the
          third Business Day of the first month after the last month to which such
          invoice
          relates or (b) the third Business Day after the day on which such invoice
          is
          received. On or after (x) the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect
          to
          the Pledgor or (y) a termination of this Confirmation as a result of an
          Event of
          Default with respect to the Pledgor, the Secured Party (or its Custodian
          to the
          extent that the Secured Party is not entitled to hold cash) shall retain
          any
          such Interest Amount as additional Performance Assurance hereunder until
          the
          obligations of the Pledgor under this Confirmation have been satisfied
          in the
          case of a termination of this Confirmation or for so long as such Event
          of
          Default is continuing in the case of an Event of Default.

        

        For
          purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following
          meanings:

        

        “Interest
          Amount” shall mean with respect to a Party and an Interest Period, the sum of
          the daily interest amounts for all days in such Interest Period; each daily
          interest amount to be determined by such Party as follows: (a) the amount
          of
          cash held by such Party on that day, multiplied by (b) the Interest Rate
          for
          that day, divided by (c) 360.

        

        “Interest
          Period” means a calendar quarter, or any portion of a calendar quarter if cash
          is delivered after the beginning of a calendar quarter, or is returned
          prior to
          the end of a calendar quarter.

        

        “Interest
          Rate” for purposes of this Section only (and shall not amend the definition of
          Interest Amount as used elsewhere in the Master Agreement) shall mean
          the
          Federal Funds Effective Rate - the rate for that day opposite the caption
          “Federal Funds (Effective)” as set forth in the weekly statistical release
          designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication, published by the
          Board of
          Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

        

        Reduction
          of Performance Assurance.
          No more
          frequently than once every seven days, the Pledgor may request a reduction
          in
          the amount of Performance Assurance previously provided by the Pledgor
          for the
          benefit of the Secured Party based on a reduction in the positive difference
          obtained by subtracting the Collateral Threshold for the Pledgor from the
          absolute value of the Mark-to-Market Amount, provided that (i) no Event
          of
          Default with respect to the Pledgor shall have occurred and be continuing,
          and
          (ii) no Termination Date has been established under the Agreement as a
          result of
          an Event of Default with respect to the Pledgor. A permitted reduction
          in
          Performance Assurance may be effected by the transfer of cash to the Pledgor
          or
          the reduction of the amount of an outstanding Letter of Credit previously
          issued
          for the benefit of the Secured Party.

         

        Special
          Condition #2:

         

        (a) The
          obligations of Party B under and pursuant to this Agreement, including each
          and all of the obligations of Party B to sell and deliver energy and capacity,
          are conditioned upon possession by Party B of the requisite authority from
          FERC to charge market-based rates for the sale of electric power at wholesale
          under and pursuant to this Agreement. Party B shall, in its sole and absolute
          discretion, be entitled to terminate this Agreement (or, if Party B so
          elects,
          this Confirmation) effective four (4) Business Days after notice to Party
          A, and
          without any liability whatsoever on the part of Party B to Party A or any
          other
          person, at any time subsequent to the issuance of any order or decision
          of FERC
          or any court of competent jurisdiction that terminates, invalidates or
          suspends
          Party B’s market-based rate authority.

         

        (b) Within
          seven (7) Business Days following the execution of this Confirmation by
          the
          Parties, Party A shall notify FERC that Party A withdraws its request for
          rehearing of the May 18, 2006 Order in the PPLM MBR Proceeding (as defined
          below), provided,
          however,
          that
          Party A shall be entitled to remain a party to the PPLM MBR Proceeding.
          During
          the term of this Confirmation, Party A shall not submit any pleadings,
          affidavits, and testimony in the PPLM MBR Proceeding that in any way challenges
          the lawfulness of the Contract Price or any of the other rates or charges
          under
          this Confirmation or the authority of Party B to charge market-based rates
          for
          the sale of electric power at wholesale.

         

        (c) For
          purposes of this Agreement, “PPLM
          MBR Proceeding”
shall
          mean that certain proceeding initiated by the filing by PPL Montana, LLC,
          PPL
          Colstrip I, LLC and PPL Colstrip II, LLC on November 9, 2004, at FERC of
          an
          updated market power analysis in the following Docket Nos.: ER99-3491-005,
          ER99-3491-006, ER99-3491-007, ER99-3491-008, ER00-2184-003, ER00-2184-004,
          ER00-2184-005, ER00-2184-006, ER00-2185-003, ER00-2185-004, ER00-2185-005,
          ER00-2185-006, EL05-124-000, EL05-124-001, EL05-124-002 and
          EL05-124-003.

         

        Special
          Condition #3:

         

        Notwithstanding
          any other provision of this Agreement, Party B shall have the right, in
          its sole
          and absolute discretion, effective seven (7) Business Days after notice
          from
          Party B to Party A, and without any liability whatsoever on the part of
          Party B
          to Party A or any other person, to terminate
          this
          Agreement (or, if Party B so elects, this Confirmation) in the event that
          Party
          B is required by any governmental entity in the State of Montana (through
          exercise of rights of eminent domain or otherwise) to divest any power
          generation facility then owned in whole or in part by Party B and located
          in the
          State of Montana.

         

        Special
          Condition #4:

         

        Confidentiality:
          This
          Confirmation shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 10.11 of
          the
          Master Agreement, and none of the contents of this Confirmation shall be
          considered confidential information for purposes of Section 10.11 of the
          Master
          Agreement or otherwise under this Agreement.

         

        Special
          Condition #5:

         

        Party
          B
          shall be responsible for maintaining and, when required by the applicable
          control area operator, providing an amount of spinning and non-spinning
          reserves
          (at least half of which would be required to be spinning) of the same quality
          as
          exists at the time of this transaction, not to exceed the sum of six percent
          of
          the Quantity provided from hydropower generation and eight percent of the
          Quantity provided from thermal generation.

         

        Scheduling:
          WECC standard operating procedures

        Option
          Buyer: ____________________________________________________________

        Option
          Seller:
          ____________________________________________________________

        Type
          of
          Option: ___________________________________________________

        Strike
          Price: ______________________________________________________

        Premium:
          ________________________________________________________

        Exercise
          Period: ___________________________________________________

         

        *
          * * *
          *

        AMENDMENTS
          TO MASTER AGREEMENT:

         

        	(a)  	
                Article
                  One is amended to add the following as Section 1.29A:

                 

              

        “1.29A “Merger
          Event” means: with respect to a Party, that such Party consolidates or
          amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially
          all
          of its assets to, another entity, and (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee
          entity fails to assume, effective immediately upon the effectiveness of
          such
          consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer, each and all of the obligations
          of such Party under this Agreement or under any guaranty or Letter of Credit
          or
          other Performance Assurance provided under or in connection with this Agreement,
          either by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory
          to the other Party, or (ii) any guaranty, Letter of Credit and other Performance
          Assurance or credit support requirements that are applicable to a Party
          under
          this Agreement fail, at any time following such consolidation, amalgamation,
          merger or transfer, to be satisfied in full by or with respect to such
          resulting, surviving or transferee entity.”

         

        	(b)  	
                Events
                  of Default.

                 

              

        Section
          5.1(f) is amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

        
          	 	
                  “(f)

                	
                  a
                    Merger Event occurs with respect to such Party;”

                   

                

        

        	(c)  	
                Rates
                  and Terms Binding; FERC Standard of Review.
                  The following provision is added as Section 10.14:

                 

              

        “10.14. Rates
          and Terms Binding; FERC Standard of Review.

         

        (a) Absent
          the agreement of all Parties to the proposed change, the standard of review
          for
          changes to any section or any other provision of this Agreement, including
          all
          Transactions and Confirmations thereunder and any other agreements entered
          into
          in connection with this Agreement or any such Transaction or Confirmation,
          including any credit, security, margin, guaranty or similar agreement (this
          Agreement and each and all of the foregoing, collectively, the “Covered
          Agreements”) (other than changes to the Party A Tariff or Party B Tariff that do
          not have any application to or effect on any Covered Agreement), whether
          proposed by a Party, a non-party or FERC acting sua sponte,
          shall
          be the “public interest” standard of review set forth in United
          Gas Pipe Line Co. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp.,
          350
          U.S. 332 (1956), and Federal
          Power Commission v. Sierra Pacific Power Co.,
          350
          U.S. 348 (1956) (the “Mobile-Sierra”
          doctrine).

         

        (b) The
          Parties, for themselves and their successors and assigns, (i) agree that
          the
          Mobile-Sierra doctrine, and such “public interest” standard, shall apply to any
          proposed changes in any Covered Agreement (other than changes to the Party
          A
          Tariff or Party B Tariff that do not have any application to or effect
          on any
          Covered Agreement) and (ii) hereby expressly and irrevocably waive any
          rights
          they can or may have to the application of any other standard of review,
          including the “just and reasonable” standard, to changes to any Covered
          Agreements (other than changes to the Party A Tariff or Party B Tariff
          that do
          not have any application to or effect on any Covered Agreement).

         

        (c) Without
          in any way limiting the foregoing subsections (a) and (b), to the fullest
          extent
          permitted by applicable law, each Party, for itself and its successors
          and
          assigns, hereby also expressly and irrevocably waives any rights it can
          or may
          have, now or in the future, whether under §§ 205 or 206 of the Federal Power Act
          or otherwise, to seek (without the agreement of the other Party) to obtain
          from
          FERC by any means, directly or indirectly (through complaint, investigation
          or
          otherwise), and each Party hereby covenants and agrees not at any time
          to seek
          so to obtain, an order from FERC changing any provision of any Covered
          Agreement
          (other than changes to the Party A Tariff or Party B Tariff that do not
          have any
          application to or effect on any Covered Agreement) or any refund with respect
          thereto. To the extent that any non-Party seeks such relief, or FERC acts
          sua sponte
          to
          consider any such changes, the Parties further covenant and agree to use
          commercially reasonable efforts (which efforts may include the costs and
          expense
          of appearing before FERC or in connection with any appeals of FERC orders
          but
          shall not otherwise require the payment of money by a Party), to cooperate
          to
          jointly oppose the entry of an order by FERC providing for any such changes.
          In
          the event it were to be determined that applicable law precludes the Parties
          from waiving their rights to seek changes from FERC to their market-based
          power
          sales contracts (including entering into covenants not to do so) then this
          Section 10.14(c) shall not apply, provided that, consistent with Section
          10.14(a), neither Party shall seek any such changes except under the “public
          interest” standard of review and otherwise as set forth in Section
          10.14(a).”

         

        *
          * * *
          *

        This
          confirmation is being provided pursuant to and in accordance with the Master
          Power Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15, 2001 (the “Master
          Agreement”)
          between Party A and Party B, and constitutes part of and is subject to
          the terms
          and provisions of such Master Agreement. Terms used but not defined herein
          shall
          have the meanings ascribed to them in the Master Agreement.

         

        [Signature
          pages follow]

        

        
          
            
            

          

          
            
            

            
              

            

          

          
            
            

          

        

        NORTHWESTERN
          CORPORATION,

        doing
          business as

        NORTHWESTERN
          ENERGY

        

        ____________________________________

        

        ____________________________________

        

        ____________________________________

        

        
          
            
            

          

          
            
            

            
              

            

          

          
            
            

          

        

        PPL
          MONTANA, LLC, by and

        through
          its duly authorized agent,

        PPL
          ENERGYPLUS, LLC

        

        ____________________________________

        

        ____________________________________

        

        ____________________________________

        

         

        
          
             

          

          
             

            
              

            

          

          
             

          

        

      

    

    Schedule
      1

    Energy
      Price: $/MWh

     

    
      	
              Q3
                2007

            	
              $44.95
                

            
	
              Q4
                2007

            	
              $45.35
                

            
	
              Q1
                2008

            	
              $45.75
                

            
	
              Q2
                2008

            	
              $46.15
                

            
	
              Q3
                2008

            	
              $46.55
                

            
	
              Q4
                2008

            	
              $46.95
                

            
	
              Q1
                2009

            	
              $47.35
                

            
	
              Q2
                2009

            	
              $47.75
                

            
	
              Q3
                2009

            	
              $48.15
                

            
	
              Q4
                2009

            	
              $48.55
                

            
	
              Q1
                2010

            	
              $48.95
                

            
	
              Q2
                2010

            	
              $49.35
                

            
	
              Q3
                2010

            	
              $49.75
                

            
	
              Q4
                2010

            	
              $50.15
                

            
	
              Q1
                2011

            	
              $50.55
                

            
	
              Q2
                2011

            	
              $50.95
                

            
	
              Q3
                2011

            	
              $51.35
                

            
	
              Q4
                2011

            	
              $51.75
                

            
	
              Q1
                2012

            	
              $52.15
                

            
	
              Q2
                2012

            	
              $52.55
                

            
	
              Q3
                2012

            	
              $52.60
                

            
	
              Q4
                2012

            	
              $52.65
                

            
	
              Q1
                2013

            	
              $52.70
                

            
	
              Q2
                2013

            	
              $52.75
                

            
	
              Q3
                2013

            	
              $52.80
                

            
	
              Q4
                2013

            	
              $52.85
                

            
	
              Q1
                2014

            	
              $52.90
                

            
	
              Q2
                2014

            	
              $52.95
                

            

    

    

    

    
      
         

      

      
         

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    

    Schedule
      2

     

    
      	
              Quarter
                or Other Period

            	
              Party
                A

              Collateral
                Threshold

            	
              Party
                B

              Collateral
                Threshold

            
	
              Jul.
                5, 2006 - Sep. 30, 2007

            	
              $40,000,000
                

            	
              $110,000,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2007

            	
              $39,100,000
                

            	
              $104,260,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2008

            	
              $37,380,000
                

            	
              $99,690,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2008

            	
              $35,680,000
                

            	
              $95,150,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2008

            	
              $33,980,000
                

            	
              $90,610,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2008

            	
              $32,270,000
                

            	
              $86,040,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2009

            	
              $30,550,000
                

            	
              $81,470,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2009

            	
              $28,870,000
                

            	
              $76,990,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2009

            	
              $27,170,000
                

            	
              $72,460,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2009

            	
              $25,460,000
                

            	
              $67,890,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2010

            	
              $23,740,000
                

            	
              $63,320,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2010

            	
              $22,060,000
                

            	
              $58,830,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2010

            	
              $20,360,000
                

            	
              $54,300,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2010

            	
              $18,910,000
                

            	
              $50,420,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2011

            	
              $17,450,000
                

            	
              $46,530,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2011

            	
              $16,020,000
                

            	
              $42,730,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2011

            	
              $14,580,000
                

            	
              $38,870,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2011

            	
              $13,120,000
                

            	
              $34,990,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2012

            	
              $11,670,000
                

            	
              $31,110,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2012

            	
              $10,220,000
                

            	
              $27,260,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2012

            	
              $8,780,000
                

            	
              $23,400,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2012

            	
              $7,680,000
                

            	
              $20,470,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2013

            	
              $6,570,000
                

            	
              $17,520,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2013

            	
              $5,490,000
                

            	
              $14,630,000
                

            
	
              Jul.
                1 - Sep. 30, 2013

            	
              $4,390,000
                

            	
              $11,710,000
                

            
	
              Oct.
                1 - Dec. 31, 2013

            	
              $3,290,000
                

            	
              $8,760,000
                

            
	
              Jan.
                1 - Mar. 31, 2014

            	
              $2,180,000
                

            	
              $5,810,000
                

            
	
              Apr.
                1 - Jun. 30, 2014

            	
              $1,100,000
                

            	
              $2,920,000EXHIBIT 10.7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO. : GS0505F

                                    AGREEMENT

                BY :

                          HENAN ZHONGPIN FOOD SHARE CO., LTD.

                          GREEN STONE INVESTMENT & CONSULTANTS LTD.

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     NOTES

1.   When making and entering into this  agreement,  the parties shall read this
     agreement  carefully.  This agreement shall be valid upon signature by both
     parties,  and the  parties  shall  be  subject  to the  provisions  of this
     agreement.

2.   The legal  representatives of Party A and Party B or the persons authorized
     by the parties shall sign this  agreement.

3.   This agreement shall only be applied between Party A and Party B.

4.   The  blanks  in  this  agreement  shall  be  clearly  filled  in  upon  the
     consultation  by both  parties.  A "/" shall be placed in the blanks  where
     there is no need to fill in information.

5.   Ballpoint pens shall not be used to fill in this agreement. The handwriting
     in this  agreement  shall be clear and  accurate  and shall not be modified
     without the consent of both parties.

6.   This  agreement  shall be set in four  copies  each  having  the same legal
     validity.  Party  A and  Party B  shall  each  retain  two  copies  of this
     agreement.

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         FINANCIAL CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Party A (the entrusting party): Henan Zhongpin Food Share Co., Ltd.

Party B (the trustee): Green Stone Investment & Consultants Ltd.

WHEREAS:

  Party A was legally  established  under the laws of People's Republic of China
and  Party B was  legally  established  under  the  laws of the  British  Virgin
Islands.  Party A and Party B, in accordance with the principles of equality and
honesty,  have  agreed to make and  enter  into this  agreement  concerning  the
entrustment  by Party A to Party B that  Party B shall  conduct  the  design and
financial consultation before listing on the American securities market.

ARTICLE 1 THE ENTRUSTED ISSUES

     1.   In the year 2005, Party A intends to become a listed public company in
          the United States  (U.S.).  Hence,  Party A has decided to restructure
          financially in preparation for its possible public listing.

     2.   Party A shall  appoint  Party B as its  financial  consultant  for the
          pre-listing  preparations  and related matters as mentioned above, and
          Party B shall agree to be the financial consultant to Party A.

ARTICLE 2 THE RANGE OF PARTY B'S SERVICE

     1.   Planning of the pre-listing  preparations  based on the particulars of
          the American securities markets.

     2.   Assisting Party A to restructure and readying Party A for its intended
          public listing in the U. S.

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   Assisting Party A to select and choose suitable investment projects.

     4.   Assisting Party A to prepare the drafting of its Business Plan.

     5.   Assisting the core management team of Party A to properly  prepare for
          the intended listing in the U. S.

     6.   Assisting  Party A to convert its  financial  management,  control and
          reporting in accordance with US GAAP.

     7.   Assisting Party A to prepare its financial forecasts.

     8.   Assisting  Party  A  to  establish  and  improve  its  financial  risk
          management system to improve the financial control of Party A.

     9.   Assisting  the  financial  management  personnel  in  improving  their
          financial management practices.

ARTICLE 3 PARTY A'S RESPONSIBILITIES

     1.   Providing the relevant  materials and insuring the materials  provided
          are accurate and complete.

     2.   Organizing a special project team to work with Party B.

     3.   Providing   a   suitable   working   environment,   arranging   proper
          accommodations  and travel  arrangements  for the personnel of Party B
          who have to work at Party A's location.

     4.   Paying a financial  consultancy fee to Party B in accordance with this
          agreement.

ARTICLE 4 PARTY B'S RESPONSIBILITIES

    In  addition to the  responsibilities  as stated in Article 2, Party B shall
    also provide the following services:

     1.   Ensuring  suitability of consultants and, in accordance with Party A's
          progress,  providing  timely  services and making sure the consultants
          perform due diligence properly.

     2.   Maintaining confidence of all business information provided by Party A
          and ensuring such  information  shall not be revealed to third parties
          without exception.

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE 5 CONSULTANT FEE AND PAYMENT

     1.   Party A shall  agree  to pay  $100,000 to Party B as a consultant  fee
          (exchange  rate  $1=RMB  8.27),  and  the  payment  shall  be  paid by
          installments  as follows:

               2.1  Within seven  business  days after this  agreement  has been
                    signed  by  both  parties,  Party  A  shall  pay  the  first
                    installment of $50,000 to Party B.

               2.2  The balance of $50,000 shall be paid to Party B on or before
                    July 1, 2005.

     2.   In addition,  Party A agrees to grant Party B fifteen  percent (15.0%)
          of the total shares outstanding of Party A in exchange for services to
          be rendered to Party A.

ARTICLE 6 CONFIDENTIALITY

    The parties agree that neither party shall disclose any documents, materials
or information provided by each other to any third parties with the exception of
mutually acceptable parties, mutually acceptable potential investors,  employees
of the two parties and disclosures required by laws or policies of governments.

ARTICLE 7 RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT

   If one party  fails to perform  any of its  material  obligations  under this
agreement,  then the other Party may be compensated  in an amount  equivalent to
10% of the total cash consultancy fee.

ARTICLE 8 VALIDITY, TERM AND TERMINATION OF CONTRACT

     1.   This agreement shall be deemed valid upon execution of the agreement

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          indicated by signatures of the legal  representatives of both Parties.

     2.   The term of this  agreement  shall begin on the day this agreement has
          been signed by both Parties,  and this agreement  shall terminate once
          the parties  satisfactorily  complete their respective  obligations in
          accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement.

     3.   Once this  agreement  becomes  valid,  the Parties shall perform their
          obligations  with due  diligence.  No Party shall have the  unilateral
          right to terminate this  agreement  without the mutual consent by both
          Parties in writing.

     4.   The   performance  and  execution  of  this  agreement  shall  not  be
          influenced by the personnel changes of either party.

ARTICLE 9 FORCE MAJEURE

     1.   Force  Majeure  shall mean all events  which are beyond the control of
          the Parties to this Agreement,  and which are unforeseen,  unavoidable
          or insurmountable,  and which prevent total or partial  performance by
          either  of  the  Parties.   Such  events  shall  include  earthquakes,
          typhoons,  flood,  fire,  war,  strikes,  riots,  acts of governments,
          changes in law or the application  thereof or any other instance which
          cannot be foreseen, prevented or controlled, including instances which
          are accepted as Force Majeure in general practice.

     2.   During the period of this agreement's  validity,  if an event of Force
          Majeure,  or  material  incidents  of a  political,  economic or legal
          nature  occurs,  the continuous  performance  of this agreement  shall
          cause  substantial and negative  influences on the operation,  finance
          and prospects of Party A or Party B, the Party  claiming Force Majeure
          shall promptly inform the other Party and bring forward a modification
          plan or the intention to modify the agreement.

     3.   In accordance  with the Force Majeure  clause in this  agreement,  the
          parties  shall  consult with each other prior to ceasing or suspending
          all or partial

<PAGE>

          provisions  of this  agreement  and neither party shall be held liable
          for breach of contract under such circumstances.

ARTICLE 10 SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES

   In the event of any dispute,  controversy or claim arising out of or relating
to this agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, the Parties
shall  attempt in the first  instance to resolve such dispute  through  friendly
negotiation.  If any dispute is not resolved by friendly negotiation,  any Party
may submit the dispute to the Beijing Arbitration Commission for arbitration.

ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS

     1.   The conclusion, validity,  interpretation,  performance and settlement
          of disputes  shall be subject to the laws of The People's  Republic of
          China.   Except  for  the  express   stipulations   in  the  laws  and
          regulations, the latter legislation shall have no retroactive power on
          this agreement.

     2.   In accordance with the applied laws and regulations, the invalidity of
          any provision of this  agreement  shall not affect the validity of any
          other provision of this agreement. In such an event, the Parties shall
          apply the valid provisions in place of the invalid provision(s).

ARTICLE 12 ISSUES THAT ARE NOT REGULATED

    If any issue  arises that is not  regulated by this  agreement,  Party A and
Party  B  may  make  and  enter  supplementary  agreements.   All  supplementary
agreements shall have the same legal effect as this agreement.

ARTICLE 13 DOCUMENTS

   All four copies of this agreement have the same legal  validity.  Party A and
Party B shall both retain two copies of this signed  agreement.  This  agreement
shall be

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

deemed invalid if any unauthorized  modifications  are made without the
required signatures by authorized representatives of both Parties.

PARTY A: Henan Zhongpin Food Share Co., Ltd.
         -----------------------------------

Legal Representative (signature)(pound)(0)     /s/ Xianfu, ZHU
                                          --------------------------
Place of signature:     BEIJING
                      -------------------
Time of signature:      07/04/2005
                      -------------------

PARTY B: Green Stone Investment & Consultants  Ltd.
         ------------------------------------------

Legal Representative: (signature):     /s/ Yunchun, WANG
                                   --------------------------------
Place of signature:     BEIJING
                      -------------------
Time of signature:      07/04/2005
                      -------------------

<PAGE>

NO. : GS0506F

                              UNDERTAKING AGREEMENT

                               BY :

                       HENAN ZHONGPIN FOOD SHARE CO., LTD.

                    GREEN STONE INVESTMENT & CONSULTANTS LTD.

<PAGE>

                                     NOTES

1.    When making and entering into this agreement,  the parties shall read this
      agreement  carefully.  This agreement shall be valid upon the signature by
      both parties,  and the parties shall be subject to the  provisions of this
      agreement.

2.    This agreement shall be signed by the legal representatives of Party A and
      Party B or the persons authorized by such parties.

3.    This agreement shall only be applied between Party A and Party B.

4.    The blanks in this agreement shall be clearly filled in upon  consultation
      by both  parties.  A "/" shall be placed in the blanks  where  there is no
      need to fill in any information.

5.    This  agreement   shall  not  be  filled  in  using  ballpoint  pens.  The
      handwriting in this agreement shall be clear and accurate and shall not be
      modified without the consent of both parties.

6.    This  agreement  shall  be set in four  copies  each  having  equal  legal
      validity.  Party A and  Party B  shall  each  retain  two  copies  of this
      agreement.

<PAGE>

                              UNDERTAKING AGREEMENT

Party A (the entrusting party): Henan Zhongpin Food Share Co., Ltd.

Party B (the trustee): Green Stone Investment & Consultants Ltd.

WHEREAS:

1.   The  shareholders  of Zhongpin  Corporation  decided and agreed to list the
     Company  in the United  States  Securities  Market and to issue  additional
     primary shares. The shareholders  further authorized the Board of Directors
     to take all the necessary measures to achieving that goal including but not
     limited to entering into this Agreement on behalf of Zhongpin Corporation.

2.   The Board of Directors  decided and agreed to engage Green Stone Investment
     & Consultants Ltd. as Consultant to Zhongpin  Corporation in its process of
     becoming listed in the U.S.

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1  DEFINITIONS

     In this Agreement,  unless otherwise  stipulated,  the following items have
     the definition as follows:

     1.1  "Zhongpin Corporation": means Henan Zhongpin Food Share Co., Ltd.

     1.2  "The shareholders meeting": means the shareholders meeting of Zhongpin
          Corporation:

     1.3  "Board  of  Directors":  means  the  Board of  Directors  of  Zhongpin
          Corporation;

<PAGE>

ARTICLE 2 PARTY A'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS

2.1  Providing  Party B all  support  required to prepare for the listing of the
     Company in the United States (U.S.);

2.2  Providing  the  necessary  materials  as  requested by Party B and ensuring
     accuracy and completeness of such materials;

2.3  Establishing  a listing  preparation  work group whose sole task is to work
     with  Party B in its  efforts to assist the  Company in  preparing  for its
     intended listing;

2.4  Cooperating with Party B in the arrangement of personnel, time and place so
     as to accomplish the listing on a timely basis;

ARTICLE 3  PARTY B'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS

As the Consultant to Party A, Party B's  responsibilities and obligations are as
follows:

3.1  Providing  services to Party A in the Company's  preparation  of listing in
     the U. S., including:

     a)   Assisting  Party A in the  listing  process  and its  capital  raising
          efforts;

     b)   Working  on  behalf  of Party A and  coordinating  with  all  involved
          parties, including:

          1.   Assisting Party A to select and engage a qualified  international
               audit institution;

          2.   Assisting  Party A to select and engage a qualified  American law
               firm;

          3.   Assisting  Party A to  select  and  engage a  suitable  placement
               agent;

          4.   Assisting  Party  A to  select  and  engage  a  qualified  public
               relations firm;

          5.   Assisting  Party A to  select  and  appoint a  suitable  transfer
               agent.

     c)   Assisting  Party  A and its  attorneys  to  design  a  suitable  legal
          structure for a publicly listed company in the U.S.

     d)   Screen,  select  and  recommend  a  suitable  clean  shell  candidate,
          assisting  Party A to enter into a purchase  agreement with the public
          shell candidate

<PAGE>

          and coordinate the relevant legal procedures;

     e)   Assisting Party A to prepare for U.S. SEC filings and achieve the goal
          of becoming a publicly listed company in the U.S.

3.2  Financing and after-financing services:

     a)   Assisting Party A to coordinate  with the selected  placement agent to
          prepare for the capital raising process in accordance with Article 4;

     b)   Assisting Party A to structure a suitable capitalization;

     c)   Assisting  Party A to coordinate with the appointed  public  relations
          firm to communicate with the investment  community in the U.S. capital
          market;

     d)   Assisting Party A to work properly with the transfer agent;

     e)   Assisting  Party A to determine  the use of proceeds and to ensure the
          optimal utilization of new capital raised;

     f)   Providing  advice on future  capitalization  plans after the company's
          U.S.  listing;

     g)   Providing   advice  on  strategic   planning  to  enhance   Party  A's
          development.

 ARTICLE 4 DESIGN FOR FINANCING  (DETAILS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PRIVATE
        PLACEMENT  AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN PARTY A AND THE TO-BE-SELECTED
        PLACEMENT AGENT)

4.1  Listing  means:  Party A under  the help of Party B shall be  listed  via a
     reverse merger with a publicly listed shell company;

4.2  Share offering: A target price of $5 per share of Party A's common stock;

4.3  Size of  financing: Current  round of  $10,000,000 to $20,000,000,  with an
     estimated  timing of three to six months after the execution of the private
     placement agreement;  a planned second round of financing in about a year's
     time from the closing of the current round for an amount of $50,000,000;

4.4  The  detailed  arrangements  shall  be  in  accordance  with  the  business
     developments of Party A. The actual process might vary from the above.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE 5  THE FEES AND PAYMENT

5.1. As for the  advisory  services to be provided by Party B, Party A shall pay
     Party B one and  one-half  percent  (1.5%) of the total amount of financing
     due to the  assistance and efforts of Party B. Party A shall pay Party B in
     five business days after the funds are received by Party A.

5.2  Party A will  reimburse  Party B for any out of pocket  traveling and hotel
     expenses  incurred  by Party B so long as they were in direct  relation  to
     services rendered to Party A.

ARTICLE 6  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT

      Any one Party failing to meet its  obligations  under this Agreement shall
constitute a breach of contract and the breaching Party shall be responsible for
compensating the aggrieved Party.

ARTICLE 7 TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT

      This  agreement  shall be valid upon  execution of this  agreement by both
Parties and shall  terminate upon the successful  listing of Party A in the U.S.
or the successful closing of the intended financing.

ARTICLE 8  LEGAL EFFECT

      This agreement  shall be deemed valid upon the execution of four copies of
this  Agreement by each of the Parties,  and Party A and Party B shall each hold
two copies of the signed Agreement and all signed copies shall be deemed to hold
the same legal  validity.  Any issues that might arise and are not stipulated in
this  agreement  shall be settled by the Parties via  negotiation  on an amiable
basis.

<PAGE>

PARTY A: Henan Zhongpin Food Share Co., Ltd.
         -----------------------------------

Legal Representative (signature):     /s/ Xianfu, ZHU
                                  -------------------------
Place of signature:     BEIJING
                    ---------------------
Time of signature:      26/04/2005
                    ---------------------

PARTY B: Green Stone Investment & Consultants  Ltd.
         ------------------------------------------

Legal Representative: (signature):    /s/ Yunchun, WANG
                                   -----------------------------
Place of signature:     BEIJING
                    ---------------------
Time of signature:      26/04/2005
                    ---------------------

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00106-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00106-of-00352.parquet"}]]