MDU Resources Group Inc. announced that the Big Stone II Project, a planned 500-to-600-megawatt coal-fired power plant to be located near Milbank, South Dakota, and its associated transmission, will not be built. The project's four participants include Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a division of MDU Resources. The project required additional participants to move forward; however none have committed. The other Big Stone II Project participants were Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Heartland Consumers Power District and Missouri River Energy Services.

MDU Resources Group Inc. reported unaudited earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company's operating revenues were $1,107.9 million against $1,333.8 million a year ago. Operating income was $160.3 million against $203.3 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $144.6 million against $185.6 million a year ago. Earnings on common stock $92.4 million or $0.50 per diluted share against $118.2 million or $0.64 per diluted share a year ago. For the nine months, the company's operating revenues were $3,160.0 million against $3,707.5 million a year ago. Operating loss was $280.6 million against operating profit of $529.4 million a year ago. Loss before income taxes was $330.0 million against income before income taxes of $479.2 million a year ago. Loss on common stock $196.4 million or $1.07 per basic and diluted share against earnings on common stock of $304.4 million or $1.66 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Book value per common share as on September 30, 2009 was $13.37. Negative return on average common equity was 8.1% against return on average common equity of 15.5% for the same period a year earlier. The company revised earnings guidance for the year 2009. For the period, the company increases earnings guidance to $1.25 to $1.40 per common share, excluding a first quarter non-cash charge of $384.4 million after-tax. Including the non-cash charge, guidance for 2009 is a loss of 67 cents to 82 cents per common share.

MDU Resources Group Inc. provided capital expenditures guidance for the year 2009. The company increased its estimated capital expenditures for the year by approximately $45 million.