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 (except for Note 9, as to which
the date is April 7,2006) 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 (except for Note 10, as to which the date is April 7, 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. 2 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
April 7, 2006