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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our report, as it relates to IES
Utilities Inc., dated January 28, 2000, except for Note 15, as to which the date
is November 29, 2000 included in IES Utilities Inc.'s Form S-4/A, Registration
Statement File No. 333-53846, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2001 and to all
references to our Firm included in this registration statement.


/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

March 1, 2001