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                                                               EXHIBIT 23a (CEI)





                  THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                   -----------------------------------------




As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report on the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and subsidiaries dated February
17, 1995, included in this Form 10-K, into The Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company's previously filed Registration Statement, File No. 33-55513.





                                                 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





Cleveland, Ohio
March 20, 1995