NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc.

6 Form 10-K Summary 83 Signatures 84 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F- 1 Consolidated Financial Statements F- 4 3 SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS On one or more occasions, we may make statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, relating to our current expectations of future financial performance, continued growth, changes in economic conditions or capital markets, changes in customer usage patterns and preferences, and statements relating to our pending merger with Black Hills Corporation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words or phrases such as anticipates," may," will," should," believes," estimates," expects," intends," plans," predicts," projects," targets," will likely result," will continue" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed.