<Page>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23-1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 033-54155) of Energy
East Corporation of our report dated January 25, 2002 relating to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule, which
appears in Energy East Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2001. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

                                  /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
October 22, 2002