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 the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Indiana Energy,  Inc. for the year
ended  September 30, 1998,  and our report dated June 28, 1999,  included in the
Annual Report on Form 11-K of the Indiana Energy,  Inc.  Retirement Savings Plan
for the year ended December 31, 1998.



                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
October 15, 1999