Exhibit 23(a)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in
this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 3, 2000, related to the financial statements and
financial statements schedule, which appears in Allegheny
Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999. We also consent to the reference to us
under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
October 27, 2000
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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