EXHIBIT 23

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports  on  the  consolidated   financial   statements  of  Interstate   Energy
Corporation  included  in this  Interstate  Energy  Corporation  Form  10-K into
Interstate Energy Corporation's previously filed Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (Nos. 333-41485 and 333-46735) and Form S-3 (No.
333-26627).








ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 29, 1999