EXHIBIT 23-A


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  Registration  Statement of our report dated October 30, 1998,
included in Indiana  Energy,  Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended  September 30,
1998, and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                                    /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
February 15, 1999