EXHIBIT 23.5 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated November 5, 1999 included in EnergyNorth, Inc.'s Form 10-K, into the Eastern Enterprises Form S-4 filed January 28, 2000. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Arthur Andersen LLP Boston, Massachusetts January 27, 2000