Exhibit 23(a)

                        Independent Auditors Consent

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration 
Statement of Berkshire Energy Resources on Form S-4 of our reports dated 
August 12, 1998 and August 15, 1997, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 
10-K of the Berkshire Gas Company for the years ended June 30, 1998 and 
June 30, 1997, respectively, and The Berkshire Gas Company's Annual Report 
to Shareholders for the years ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997, 
respectively, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (No. 333-46799) incorporated by reference into this 
Registration Statement.

                                       /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
December 18, 1998