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 January 17, 2000, relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appear in Minnesota
Power, 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.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, MN
July 19, 2000
