

[Federal Register: March 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 41)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10727]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr06-100]                         

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[File No. 1-03480]

 
Issuer Delisting; Notice of Application of MDU Resources Group, 
Inc. To Withdraw Its Common Stock, $1.00 Tar Value, and the Preference 
Share Purchase Rights Appurtenant Thereto, From Listing and 
Registration on the Pacific Exchange, Inc.

February 24, 2006.
    On February 14, 2006, MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (``Issuer''), filed an application with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to section 12(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 12d2-2(d) 
thereunder,\2\ to withdraw its common stock, $1.00 par value, and the 
preference share purchase rights appurtenant thereto (collectively 
``Securities''), from listing and registration on the Pacific Exchange, 
Inc. (``PCX'').
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78l(d).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.12d2-2(d).
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    The Board of Directors (``Board'') of the Issuer adopted 
resolutions on November 17, 2005 to withdraw the Securities from 
listing and registration on PCX. The Issuer stated that it believes the 
benefits of having the Securities listed and registered on PCX are 
outweighed by the added administrative burdens and expenses, and that 
specifically: (1) The Issuer needs to reduce costs, as well as 
administrative time and expense associated with having the Securities 
listed on multiple exchanges; (2) the principal listing for the 
Securities is the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NYSE'') and the 
Securities will continue to list on NYSE; (3) management has been 
required to focus on the listing and maintenance rules, as well as 
ongoing amendments to the rules and regulations of both exchanges; and 
(4) by withdrawing the Securities from PCX, the Issuer will be able to 
lessen the administrative burden and reduce the related expenses.
    The Issuer stated in its application that it has complied with 
applicable rules of PCX by providing PCX with the required documents 
governing the withdrawal of securities from listing and registration on 
PCX.
    The Issuer's application relates solely to the withdrawal of the 
Securities from listing on PCX and shall not affect their continued 
listing on NYSE or their obligation to be registered under section 
12(b) of the Act.\3\
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78l(b).
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    Any interested person may, on or before March 22, 2006, comment on 
the facts bearing upon whether the application has been made in 
accordance with the rules of PCX, and what terms, if any, should be 
imposed by the Commission for the protection of investors. All comment 
letters may be submitted by either of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
the File Number 1-03480 or;

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number 1-03480. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To 
help us process and review your comments more efficiently, please use 
only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the 
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/delist.shtml). 

Comments are also available for public inspection and copying in the 
Commission's Public Reference Room. All comments received will be 
posted without change; we do not edit personal identifying information 
from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to 
make available publicly.
    The Commission, based on the information submitted to it, will 
issue an order granting the application after the date mentioned above, 
unless the Commission determines to order a hearing on the matter.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\4\
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    \4\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(1).
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Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-1954 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
