EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We  hereby consent to the  use in the Registration  Statement on Form S-1 of
our reports  dated July  30,  1993, relating  to  the financial  statements  and
financial  statement schedules  of EMPIRE  GAS CORPORATION  (FORMERLY EMPIRE GAS
ACQUISITION CORPORATION), which appear in  such Registration Statement. We  also
consent  to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration
Statement.

                                          BAIRD, KURTZ & DOBSON

Springfield, Missouri
April 29, 1994