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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated October 24, 1997
included in Essex County Gas Company's Form 10-K for the year ended August 31,
1997 and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.
 
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
May 7, 1998