Exhibit 23(a)


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 14, 1999 relating to the
financial statements which appears in Minnesota Power's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the incorporation
by reference of our report dated January 14, 1999 relating to the Financial
Statement Schedule, which appears in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration
Statement.


PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 13, 1999