EXHIBIT 16 March 26, 2002 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read paragraphs one through four of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated March 22, 2002 of Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, Arthur Andersen LLP cc: Jerome A. Benkert, Jr. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company