EXHIBIT 23b. Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Southwestern Public Service Company:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on Form
S-8 (Nos.  33-27452 and 33-57869) and on Form S-3 (No. 33-53171) of Southwestern
Public Service  Company of our report dated October 8, 1993, with respect to the
consolidated statements of earnings,  common shareholders' equity and cash flows
of  Southwestern  Public  Service  Company and  subsidiaries  for the year ended
August 31, 1993,  which report  appears in the August 31, 1995 Annual  Report on
Form 10-K of Southwestern Public Service Company.


KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Fort Worth, Texas
November 20, 1995