EXHIBIT 23(A)







                                   CONSENT OF
                  INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
















            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We have issued our report dated February 3, 2006 accompanying the financial
statement of Atlas America Public #15-2006(B) L.P. as of February 3, 2006 and
our report dated January 6, 2006 accompanying the consolidated financial
statements of Atlas Resources, Inc. and Subsidiary as of and for the two years
ended September 30, 2005 contained in the Registration Statement on
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 and Prospectus for Atlas America
Public #15-2005 Program. We consent to the use of the aforementioned reports in
the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it
appears under the caption "Experts".

                           /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP


Cleveland, Ohio
February 27, 2006