EXHIBIT 23(b)




                            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  Registration  Statement of our reports  dated October 1, 1998
(except  with  respect  to the  matter  discussed  in  Note  3 to the  financial
statements,  as to which the date is  October  17,  1998)  included  in  Eastern
Enterprises'  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  November 23,  1998,  and to all
references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.




                                                      /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                          Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
December 21, 1998