EXHIBIT NO. 23(b)


                   CONSENT OF EXPERT AND COUNSEL


Carolina Power & Light Company:

     The statements of law and legal conclusions under Item 1. Business and
Item 3. Legal Proceedings in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995 have been reviewed by me and are set forth therein
in reliance upon my opinion as an expert.

     I hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of such statements of
law and legal conclusions in Registration Statement No. 33-33520 on Form S-8,
Registration Statement No. 33-5134 on Form S-3, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
to Registration Statement No. 33-38349 on Form S-3, Registration Statement No.
33-50597 on Form S-3 and Registration Statement No. 33-57835 on Form S-3 and
the related Prospectuses, which are a part of such Registration Statements.


                               /s/ Richard E. Jones,
                               Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                               and Secretary


March 25, 1996