EXHIBIT 99-9


                        CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, Anthony F. Earley, Jr., Chairman, President, Chief Executive and Chief
Operating Officer of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (the "Company"), certify,
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:

(1)      the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly
         period ended March 31, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the
         requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2)      the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.



Dated:   May 14, 2003                     /s/ ANTHONY F. EARLEY, JR.
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                             Anthony F. Earley, Jr.
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive and Chief
                                             Operating Officer of
                                       Michigan Consolidated Gas Company


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