Exhibit 23.6

Consent of Independent Public Accountants

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Southwestern Electric Power
Company:

      As independent public accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
of  our  report  with  respect  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of
Southwestern  Electric Power Company dated  February 25, 2000,  included in this
Form  10-K,  into  Southwestern   Electric  Power  Company's   previously  filed
registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-96213).

Arthur Andersen LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 21, 2000



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