NORTHERN STATES POWER CO /MN/
S-3, 1996-01-25
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 24, 1996. 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                                   FORM S-3 
                         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER 
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 
                        NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY 

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
                                  MINNESOTA 
        (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 
                                 41-04-48030 
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

               414 NICOLLET MALL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55401 
                                (612) 330-5500 
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of 
                         principal executive offices) 

                              EDWARD J. MCINTYRE 
                  VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 
                        NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY 
               414 NICOLLET MALL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55401 
                                (612) 330-7712 

                               GARY R. JOHNSON 
                         VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY 
                        NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY 
               414 NICOLLET MALL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55401 
                                (612) 330-7623 
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area 
                         code, of agent for service) 

                                   Copy To: 
                               PETER D. CLARKE 
                          GARDNER, CARTON & DOUGLAS 
               321 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610 
                                (312) 245-8685 

       Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: 
  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement. 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered 
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the 
following box. [ ] 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a 
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or 
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [x] 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) 
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering. [ ] 

If delivery of this prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, 
please check the following box. [ ] 

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PROPOSED         PROPOSED 
                                                                          MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF 
                                                       AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE     AGGREGATE       REGISTRATION 
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED      REGISTERED        PER UNIT      OFFERING PRICE        FEE 
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>           <C>                <C>
Common Stock 
(par value $2.50 per share)                             3,500,000         $50.688(1)     $177,408,000(1)   $61,175.17 
</TABLE>


(1)      These amounts are estimates made solely for the purpose of determining
         the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c), and are based on the
         average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported by
         The Wall Street Journal as New York Stock Exchange Composite
         Transactions for January 22, 1996.


THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR 
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT 
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION 
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING 
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. 


INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 24, 1996 

PROSPECTUS 

                        NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY 
                          (A MINNESOTA CORPORATION) 
                DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 
                                 COMMON STOCK 
                              ($2.50 PAR VALUE) 


The Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") of Northern 
States Power Company (the "Company") provides the Company's common and 
preferred shareholders, employees and customers with a convenient method of 
purchasing shares of the Company's common stock ($2.50 par value) ("Common 
Stock") without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge. In 
addition, other individuals of legal age who reside in Minnesota, North 
Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or Michigan may become shareholders of record 
of the Company's Common Stock concurrent with enrollment in the Plan with a 
minimum initial investment of $100. Participants may purchase additional 
shares of Common Stock by reinvesting dividends and/or making cash payments. 
Employees of the Company may participate through payroll deduction. 

Beneficial owners of the Company's common or preferred stock held by brokers 
and other custodial institutions may participate in the Plan if such brokers 
and other custodial institutions holding their stock have established 
procedures which permit their customers to participate in the Plan if they so 
desire. Individuals who are not shareholders, employees or customers of the 
Company and who do not reside in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
Wisconsin or Michigan may participate only after becoming a shareholder of 
record through the purchase of common or preferred stock of the Company 
through an independent broker. 

The shares purchased under the Plan may be new issue Common Stock or Common 
Stock purchased on the open market. New issue Common Stock will be purchased 
from the Company at the current market price on the investment date. The 
price of Common Stock purchased on the market will be the weighted average 
price at which shares are actually purchased. 

A complete description of the Plan begins on Page 3. 

PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING AND RETAIN IT FOR YOUR 
FUTURE REFERENCE. 

        THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE 
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION 
                 PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS 
                    PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE 
                       CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JANUARY   , 1996 


                            AVAILABLE INFORMATION 

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance 
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission"). Such reports, proxy 
statements and other information on file can be inspected and copied at the 
public reference offices of the Commission currently at Room 1024, Judiciary 
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 500 West Madison 
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 
10048. Copies of such materials can also be obtained from the Public 
Reference Section of the Commission, Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth 
Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, 
reports, proxy material and other information concerning the Company may be 
inspected at the Library of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New 
York, New York 10005; the offices of the Chicago Stock Exchange, One 
Financial Place, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605, and at 
the office of the Pacific Stock Exchange, 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, 
California 94104, on which exchanges the Company's Common Stock is listed. 

                    INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

The following documents, as filed by the Company with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission, are incorporated herein by reference: (i) Form 10-K 
Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1994, (ii) Form 
10-Q Quarterly Reports of the Company for the quarters ended March 31, 1995, 
June 30, 1995 (and Amendments thereto (on Form 10-Q/A) dated August 4, 1995 
and August 7, 1995) and September 30, 1995 (and Amendment thereto (on Form 
10-Q/A) dated January 4, 1996) and (iii) the Company's Current Reports on 
Form 8-K dated January 30, 1995, February 28, 1995, April 28, 1995, June 27, 
1995, June 28, 1995, September 1, 1995, September 13, 1995 and January 18, 
1996. 

All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the 
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference 
in this Prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement 
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by 
reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for 
purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this 
Prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is 
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or 
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not 
be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this 
Prospectus. The Company periodically will include with its Annual Report on 
Form 10-K or its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q an Exhibit containing a 
description of its Common Stock. 

The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person 
(including any beneficial owner) to whom this Prospectus has been delivered, 
on the request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents 
referred to above which have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus 
by reference, other than certain exhibits to such documents. Written or 
telephone requests for such copies should be directed to the Assistant 
Secretary, Northern States Power Company, 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 
Minnesota 55401 (612-330-5994). 

                                 THE COMPANY 

The Company was incorporated in 1909 under the laws of Minnesota. Its 
executive offices are located at 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 
55401 (Phone 612-330-5500). The Company's subsidiaries include Northern 
States Power Company, an operating public utility incorporated in Wisconsin 
("NSP-Wisconsin"), NRG Energy, Inc. ("NRG"), a Delaware corporation, and 
Viking Gas Transmission Company, a Delaware corporation ("Viking"). The 
Company and its subsidiaries collectively are referred to herein as NSP. 

NSP is predominantly an operating public utility engaged in the generation, 
transmission and distribution of electricity throughout a 49,000 square mile 
service area and the distribution of natural gas in approximately 148 
communities within this area. Viking is a regulated natural gas transmission 
company that operates a 500-mile interstate natural gas pipeline. NRG is 
primarily engaged in managing several of NSP's non-regulated energy 
subsidiaries. 

The Company serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. 
NSP-Wisconsin serves customers in Wisconsin and Michigan. Of the 
approximately three million people served by the Company and NSP-Wisconsin, 
the majority are concentrated in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area. 

In 1994, about 61 percent of NSP's electric retail revenue was derived from 
sales in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area and about 56 percent of 
gas revenues came from sales in the St. Paul area. NSP's electric generation 
for 1994 was provided for by coal (59%), nuclear (36%), and renewable and 
other fuels (5%). NSP currently operates three nuclear units that were placed 
in service in 1971, 1973 and 1974. NSP has no additional nuclear units under 
construction. 

                               PROPOSED MERGER 

The Company, Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation ("WEC"), 
Northern Power Wisconsin Corp., a Wisconsin corporation and wholly-owned 
subsidiary of the Company ("New NSP"), and WEC Sub Corp., a Wisconsin 
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of WEC ("WEC Sub"), have entered into 
an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 28, 1995 and as amended 
and restated as of July 26, 1995 (the "Merger Agreement"), which provides for 
a strategic business combination involving NSP and WEC in a 
"merger-of-equals" transaction (the "Transaction"). The Transaction, which 
was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of the constituent 
companies and approved by the shareholders of both the Company and WEC, is 
expected to close shortly after all of the conditions to the consummation of 
the Transaction, including obtaining applicable regulatory approvals, are met 
or waived. The Company is diligently pursuing such regulatory approvals and 
expects that all such regulatory approvals will be obtained no later than the 
end of 1996. 

Additional information concerning the Transaction and the Merger Agreement, 
including pro forma combined financial information, is included in the 
Company's Proxy Statement dated August 7, 1995 (which is filed as an exhibit 
to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part) and the 
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 
1995, June 30, 1995 (and Amendments thereto (on Form 10-Q/A) dated August 4, 
1995 and August 7, 1995) and September 30, 1995 (and Amendment thereto (on 
Form 10-Q/A) dated January 4, 1996) (collectively, the "Incorporated 
Documents") filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference into this 
Registration Statement. 

In the Transaction, the holding company of the combined enterprise will be 
registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. 
The holding company will be named Primergy Corporation ("Primergy") and will 
be the parent company of both the Company (which, for regulatory reasons, 
will reincorporate in Wisconsin) and of WEC's present principal utility 
subsidiary, Wisconsin Electric Power Company ("WEPCO") which will be renamed 
"Wisconsin Energy Company." Upon consummation of the Transaction, NSP's 
common shareholders will receive 1.626 shares of Primergy common stock in 
exchange for each share of NSP common stock they own and the holders of NSP 
preferred stock will receive the same number of shares of preferred stock of 
new NSP, the reincorporated Wisconsin corporation. Following consummation of 
the Transaction, it is expected that WEC's Stock Plus Investment Plan will 
continue as the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan of Primergy. 
Former preferred and common shareholders of NSP will be able to participate 
in the Primergy dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan with respect to 
the shares of New NSP preferred stock and Primergy common stock that they 
receive in the Transaction, and have their accounts under the Plan 
transferred to the Primergy dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan. 

The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including, 
without limitation, the receipt of all necessary governmental approvals and 
the making of all necessary governmental filings, all as more fully described 
in the Incorporated Documents. 

Both the Company and WEC recognize that the divestiture of their existing gas 
operations and certain non-utility operations is a possibility under the new 
registered holding company structure, but will seek approval from the 
Commission to maintain such businesses. If divestiture is ultimately 
required, the Commission has historically allowed companies sufficient time 
to accomplish divestitures in a manner that protects shareholder value. 

                           DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN 

The following is a summary of the provisions of the Plan: 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide the Company's shareholders, employees 
and customers with a convenient method of purchasing Common Stock of the 
Company and of systematically increasing ownership interest in the Company 
without payment of any brokerage commissions or service charges. The Plan 
also offers other individuals of legal age residing in Minnesota, North 
Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or Michigan an opportunity to become 
shareholders of record of the Company by enrolling in the Plan. 

1. HOW TO ENROLL 
Eligible persons may join the Plan at any time by completing the appropriate 
authorization form and returning it to the Company. An authorization form may 
be obtained by sending a written request to Northern States Power Company, 
Shareholders Department, 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, or 
by calling the Company at (612) 330-5560. 

2. PARTICIPATION 
If you are already a holder of record of Company stock or a beneficial owner 
of Company stock held by a broker or other custodial institution that has 
established procedures which permit their customers to participate in the 
Plan you must complete the appropriate authorization form to become a 
participant in the Plan. 

If you are already a participant under the Plan, you are not required to 
re-enroll. However, you must contact the Company's Shareholders Department to 
request any changes in participation. 

If you are a customer or employee of the Company or an individual of legal 
age residing in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or Michigan, 
you must make an initial investment of at least $100 and complete the 
appropriate authorization form to become a participant of the Plan. A maximum 
of $10,000 may be initially invested in the Plan. 

3. HOW THE PLAN WORKS 
Participants can reinvest dividends paid on full and fractional shares to 
acquire additional shares under the Plan. Participants also may make optional 
cash payments of a minimum of $25 per payment up to a $10,000 maximum per 
calendar quarter to purchase stock. Employees of the Company may authorize 
payroll deductions to purchase shares. 

Shares purchased with reinvested dividends, optional cash payments and 
employee payroll deductions are held by the Plan until the Participant 
requests issuance of a share certificate. Dividends paid on shares held by 
the Plan will be automatically reinvested. Participants can also choose to 
reinvest all, a portion, or none of the dividends earned on their 
certificated shares of Common and/or Preferred stock. 

No brokerage fees, commissions or service charges will be paid by participants
in connection with the Plan. All administrative service fees will be borne by
the Company. Participants with 25 or less shares credited to their Plan
accounts can request termination and a sale of all Plan shares through the
Company.

Full investment of funds will be made on behalf of each participant in the 
Plan. Fractions of shares, as well as full shares, are credited to 
participants' accounts. Regular Statements of Account will provide simplified 
record keeping. 

Participants can deposit Common Stock certificates for shares acquired 
through the Plan or otherwise under the Share Deposit feature of the Plan. 

4. HOW INVESTMENTS ARE MADE 
Shares may come either from authorized but unissued Common Stock ("new issue 
Common Stock") or from purchases of Common Stock of the Company made on any 
securities exchange where the shares are traded in the over-the-counter 
market or in negotiated transactions. The Company will decide when the Plan 
will purchase new issue Common Stock or when Common Stock will be purchased 
on the open market. For open market purchases, First Trust National 
Association (the "NSP Agent") will act as purchasing agent. As of the date of 
this Prospectus, shares of Common Stock purchased for participants under the 
Plan are being purchased from the Company as new issue Common Stock. The 
Company will not change its determination to use new issue Common Stock or 
purchase shares on the open market more than once in any twelve-month period. 
Participants will be notified of any change in the source of shares. 

    Below are the various ways you can acquire shares: 

    DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

    Dividends may be reinvested to purchase either new issue Common Stock or
    Common Stock on the open market. Common and/or Preferred stock dividends
    used to purchase new issue Common Stock will be invested on the 20th day of
    each dividend payment month, being: January, April, July, and October, if
    that date is a New York Stock Exchange trading day, or the first succeeding
    date the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading during those months.
    Common and/or Preferred stock dividends will normally be used by the NSP
    Agent to purchase Common Stock on the open market within 10 business days of
    the payment of a dividend, depending on market conditions. DIVIDENDS ON
    SHARES HELD BY THE PLAN WILL ALWAYS BE REINVESTED.

    Participants can authorize full or partial reinvestment of dividends on
    certificated shares. To change participation to allow receipt of a dividend
    from certificated shares in cash, instead of automatically reinvesting that
    dividend, the Company's Shareholders Department must receive a written
    request for such on or before the record date established for the particular
    dividend. If the request is received after the record date, the change will
    begin with the next dividend.

    CASH INVESTMENT OPTION -- OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS

    Participants may, at any time, SEND CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS ONLY (made
    payable in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank) to make cash investments in
    the Plan. Checks and money orders must be made PAYABLE TO "NSP AGENT".
    Participants may vary cash investments from a minimum of $25 per payment up
    to a maximum of $10,000 per calendar quarter.

    The Company will process all payments on the date they are received.
    Payments post-dated to the last business day of the month and received on or
    before that date will be accepted. Payments received after the last business
    day of the month will be processed by the Company and invested on the next
    investment date for optional cash payments. No interest will be paid on
    funds being held by the Company or the NSP Agent.

    Cash payments are invested monthly and must be received by the last business
    day of the month to be invested in the next month. Cash payments will be
    used to purchase either new issue Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on
    the open market, as determined by the Company.

    Cash payments used to purchase new issue Common Stock will be invested on
    the 10th day of each month, if that date is a New York Stock Exchange
    trading day, or the first succeeding date the New York Stock Exchange is
    open for trading. Cash payments used to purchase Common Stock on the open
    market will normally be purchased by the NSP Agent within 10 business days
    after the last business day of the previous month.

    To be eligible for quarterly dividends on shares purchased with cash
    investments, cash payments MUST be received by the last business day of
    January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November. Shares
    purchased with cash payments received in March, June, September and December
    will not be eligible for that quarter's dividend.

    Participants can request a refund of the current month's cash payment by
    sending a written request to the Company's Shareholders Department. The
    request must be received on or before the last business day of the month.
    Payments that are rejected by the Company will be returned to participants
    as promptly as practicable.

    PAYROLL DEDUCTION

    Employees who participate in the Plan may authorize payroll deductions to
    purchase shares under the Plan. Deductions may be made in addition to
    reinvestment of dividends and optional cash payments. The combined total of
    payroll deductions and optional cash payments may not exceed $10,000 in any
    calendar quarter. The minimum monthly payroll deduction is $25.

    Payroll Deduction forms can be obtained from the Company's Shareholders
    Department. Employees may change or terminate payroll deductions at any time
    by completing a new Payroll Deduction Authorization form. The commencement,
    change or termination will become effective as soon as practicable after
    receipt of the authorization form.

    PRICE

    The price per share of new issue Common Stock will be the current market
    price of Common Stock as determined by the Company on the basis of the
    average of the closing prices of Common Stock as reported by The Wall Street
    Journal as New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions on the five
    trading days prior to the applicable investment date.

    The price of shares purchased for the Plan on the open market will be the
    weighted average price at which Common Stock of the Company is actually
    purchased.

    The Company has no basis for estimating either the number of shares that
    will be purchased under the Plan or the prices at which shares will be
    purchased. Participants should be aware that since investment prices are
    determined as of specified dates, they may lose any advantages otherwise
    available from being able to select the timing of their investment.

5. STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT 
The Company will maintain an account for each Plan participant and will send 
Statements of Account to each participant as soon as practicable after each 
quarterly dividend reinvestment and each monthly cash investment. The 
Statements detail dividends, cash payments, number of shares, price per 
share, taxable dividend income and total number of accumulated shares. These 
Statements provide participants with records of their purchases and should be 
retained for tax purposes. 

6. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES 
Normally, certificates for Plan shares are not issued to participants unless 
requested. Instead, the shares are credited to Plan accounts and are shown on 
the Statements of Account. This protects against loss, theft or destruction 
of stock certificates, and reduces the Company's administrative costs. 

Participants can, however, request stock certificates for any number of full 
shares credited to their Plan accounts. There is no charge for this service. 
A written request must be made to the Company's Shareholders Department by 
completing the back side of the account correspondence stub attached to the 
Statements of Account or by submitting a written request. A separate request 
must be made for each certificate requested specifying the number of full 
shares to be issued. Requests are processed as soon as practicable after 
receipt. Generally, the certificates are issued within 10 business days after 
the Company receives the request. Any remaining full and fractional shares 
will continue to be credited to participants' accounts. Certificates for 
fractional shares will not be issued under any conditions. 

The Company reserves the right to suspend its policy of issuing certificates, 
other than upon termination or partial withdrawal from the Plan, at any time. 

    REGISTRATION OF SHARE CERTIFICATES

    Certificates can be registered and issued in names other than participants'
    names subject to compliance with any applicable laws. To do this,
    participants must complete an "Assignment Separate from Certificate" form
    and return it to the Company's Shareholders Department. This form must bear
    the signature of the participant with the signature guaranteed by an
    eligible financial institution. Assignment forms can be obtained from the
    Company's Shareholders Department.

    If a participant wants shares issued or a transfer to be effective for a
    particular dividend payment, the appropriate form must be received at least
    five days before the record date established for that dividend.

    Shares credited to participants' accounts may not be pledged and may not be
    assigned, except to another Plan account. To pledge or assign shares,
    participants must make a written request for certificates to be issued.

    DEPOSIT OF COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES INTO THE PLAN

    Participants can deposit any certificates for Common Stock of the Company
    into the Plan, whether such certificates were issued under this Plan or
    otherwise, at no cost. To take advantage of this feature, participants must
    send certificates for Common Stock to the Company's Shareholders Department
    with a completed "Share Deposit Letter of Transmittal" form which can be
    obtained from the Company's Shareholders Department. Shares of Common Stock
    represented by such certificates are credited to the appropriate participant
    account under the Plan and dividends on these shares are automatically
    reinvested in the same manner as Plan shares. CERTIFICATES FOR PREFERRED
    STOCK OF THE COMPANY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DEPOSIT.

    The Company strongly recommends that registered or certified mail be used,
    along with adequate insurance, should participants choose to deposit
    certificates. However, the method used to submit certificates to the Company
    is at the option and risk of the participant. Participants should not
    endorse the certificates.

7. HOW TO MAKE A CHANGE IN PARTICIPATION 
Any change in enrollment in the Plan or any change in the manner of 
participation in the Plan is considered a change in participation. For 
example, since dividends on Plan shares are always automatically reinvested, 
a request to issue a stock certificate to receive such dividends in cash is 
considered a change in participation. Participants may make this or any other 
change in participation by completing the appropriate information on the back 
side of the account correspondence stub attached to the Statements of Account 
or by sending a separate written request to the Company's Shareholders 
Department. The request must indicate the number of shares affected by any 
change and provide instructions on the new method of participation. 

8. HOW TO TERMINATE PARTICIPATION 
Participants may terminate participation at any time by submitting the 
appropriate information on the back side of the account correspondence stub 
attached to the Statements of Account or by submitting a separate written 
request to the Company's Shareholders Department. 

When participants terminate participation or upon termination of the Plan by 
the Company, stock certificates for full shares credited to Plan accounts are 
issued and mailed directly to participants along with a check covering the 
value of any fractional shares. The fractional share check amount is based on 
the closing market price of the Company's Common Stock on the day before the 
day the termination request is processed. For income tax purposes, the amount 
of the fractional share check is taxable and is reported accordingly. 

The request for termination will be processed as soon as practicable after 
receipt. A stock certificate for full shares and a check for the value of the 
fractional share will normally be mailed within 10 days after receipt of the 
request, unless the request is received during a dividend month, in which 
case the stock certificate and check for the value of the fractional share 
will be mailed by the end of the month. If the request to terminate is 
received by the 15th day of a dividend payment month, being: January, April, 
July and October, the dividend that would have been reinvested in the Plan 
will be paid directly to the terminating participant in cash as soon as 
practicable. Any cash payments waiting for investment will be returned as 
soon as practicable. Any subsequent dividends, if applicable, will be paid in 
cash. 

To cancel payroll deductions, employees must complete a Payroll Deduction 
Authorization form. Forms can be obtained from the Company's Shareholders 
Department. 

    SELLING PLAN SHARES

    To terminate participation and sell Plan shares (except for participants
    wishing to terminate with 25 or less shares as explained below),
    participants must send a written request to the Company's Shareholders
    Department specifying that a stock certificate be issued and indicating the
    number of Plan shares to be issued in certificated form. Participants can
    then sell the certificated shares through a stockbroker or to another buyer.

    Participants wishing to terminate with 25 or less shares credited under the
    Plan may sell all, but not less than all, Plan shares through the Company,
    without the issuance of a certificate and without payment of a brokerage
    fee. Participants must submit a request for a sale of 25 or less shares by
    completing the information on the back side of the account correspondence
    stub attached to the Statements of Account or by submitting a separate
    written request to the Company's Shareholders Department. Unless the shares
    are needed to meet Plan requirements, the Company will place a sale order
    for such shares with a fiduciary institution selected by the Company within
    10 days after receipt. In the event that shares being sold by terminating
    participants are needed to meet Plan requirements, those shares will be
    purchased by the Plan. In either case, the participant will receive the
    proceeds of the sale, less any backup withholding tax, within 10 days after
    the sale. The price of the Plan shares being sold will be the market price
    of the Common Stock of the Company on the day of the sale.

    After termination, previous participants can re-enroll in the Plan by
    completing the appropriate authorization form. However, the Company reserves
    the right to reject any enrollment forms from previous participants on the
    grounds of excessive joining and termination. Such reservation is intended
    to minimize unnecessary administrative expense and to encourage use of the
    Plan as a long-term investment service.

9.  OTHER INFORMATION 

    STOCK SPLITS

    Should the Company declare a stock split, the number of additional shares
    participants receive will be based on the number of shares in the Plan
    account. Additional full and fractional shares that result from a stock
    split will be credited to participants' Plan accounts. Stock split shares
    issued with respect to certificated shares held by participants will be
    mailed directly to the participants in the same manner as to shareholders
    who are not participating in the Plan.

    VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

    The Company will vote the shares participating in the Plan (those
    certificated and those credited to a Plan account) in accordance with
    participants' signed proxies, or participants can vote in person at the
    annual meeting.

    PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF NEW ISSUE COMMON STOCK

    Proceeds received from the sale of new issue Common Stock will be used for
    general corporate purposes.

    COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY IN ADMINISTERING THE PLAN

    In administering the Plan, the Company is not liable for any good faith act
    or omission to act, including, without limitation, any claim of liability
    (a) arising out of failure to terminate participants' accounts upon death
    prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death; (b) with respect to the
    prices at which the shares are purchased or sold and the time such purchases
    or sales are made; or (c) as to the value of the shares acquired for
    participants. The Company reserves the right to interpret and regulate the
    Plan as it deems desirable or necessary in connection with the Plan's
    operation.

    The Company will have no responsibility beyond the exercise of ordinary care
    for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the Plan nor will it have any
    duties or responsibilities except such as are expressly set forth herein.

    Participants should recognize that neither the Company nor the NSP Agent can
    assure them of a profit or protect them against a loss on shares purchased
    or sold by them under the Plan.

    COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE PLAN

    While the Company expects to continue the Plan indefinitely, it reserves the
    right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. The Company reserves the
    right to terminate Plan accounts if participants are unwilling to abide by
    the rules and provisions of the Plan. It also reserves the right to make
    modifications to the Plan. Any such suspension, termination or modification
    will be announced to participants in advance.

10. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION 
THE INFORMATION SET FORTH BELOW IS ONLY A SUMMARY AND DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE A 
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN. 
THE DESCRIPTION MAY BE AFFECTED BY FUTURE LEGISLATION, IRS RULINGS AND 
REGULATIONS, OR COURT DECISIONS. ACCORDINGLY, PARTICIPANTS SHOULD CONSULT 
WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND 
FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN. 

What are the federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan? 

For tax purposes, participants' reinvested dividends are treated in the same 
manner they would have been treated had the participants received them in 
cash on the applicable dividend payment date. In addition, brokerage 
commissions paid by the Company for participants if shares are acquired 
through open market transactions are treated as taxable dividend income and 
are reported accordingly. 

Participants will not realize any taxable income when stock certificates for 
full shares are issued from Plan accounts. However, participants will realize 
gain or loss when the shares are sold either at their request through the 
Company or by them after certificates have been issued. The amount of the 
gain or loss is the difference between the amount the participant receives 
for the shares and the cost basis of the shares. In addition, terminating 
participants will realize gain or loss upon receipt of the check covering the 
value of the fractional share. 

How will participants be notified of their taxable dividend income? 

The Company will report the dividend income to participants and to the IRS on 
Form 1099-Div. The brokerage commission paid by the Company will be included 
as dividend income. When Plan accounts are terminated and shares are sold 
through the Company, the Company will also report the proceeds from the sale 
to terminated participants and to the IRS on Form 1099-B. 

What is the federal tax basis of Plan shares? 

The tax basis of participants' Plan shares acquired after 1985 is equal to 
their purchase price as indicated on the participants' statements. 

The tax basis of participants' shares acquired under the Plan in calendar 
years 1982 through 1985 will depend on whether they excluded reinvested 
dividends up to $750 ($1,500 in the case of a joint return) per tax year 
under certain provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. If 
participants excluded qualified dividends, the tax basis for the resulting 
shares will be zero. If participants did not exclude the dividends, the tax 
basis will be the purchase price as indicated on the participant's 
statements. 

How does the Company invest and report dividends subject to federal backup 
withholding or foreign tax withholding? 

The Company will invest an amount equal to the dividends less the amount of 
tax withheld. The net dividend will purchase shares. The Statements sent to 
participants subject to tax withholding will not indicate the amount of tax 
withheld, but will show the net dividend reinvested by the Company. For IRS 
reporting purposes, the amount of the dividend withheld will be included in 
the dividend income of participants subject to backup withholding or foreign 
participants subject to foreign withholding. 

11. EXPERTS 
The financial statements and the related financial statement schedules 
incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference from the 
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 1994 (which reports express an unqualified opinion and include an 
explanatory paragraph referring to the Registrant's change in method of 
accounting for post retirement healthcare costs in 1993) have been audited by 
Deloitte & Touche, independent public accountants, as stated in their report 
included in such Form 10-K which is incorporated herein by reference, and 
have been so incorporated in reliance upon such reports given upon the 
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Registration 
Statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Wisconsin Energy 
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1994 have been so incorporated in 
reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, 
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. 

12. LEGAL OPINION 
A legal opinion in connection with shares issued under the Plan was rendered 
by Chandra G. Houston, an attorney for the Company. 

13. INDEMNIFICATION 
The Company's Bylaws contain provisions for indemnification of its directors 
and officers consistent with the provisions of Section 302A.521 of the 
Minnesota Statutes. The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation also 
contain provisions limiting the liability of the Company's directors in 
certain instances. 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the 
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been 
informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such 
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is 
therefore unenforceable. 

14. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
For further information and assistance, please write: 

    Northern States Power Company 
    Shareholders Department 
    414 Nicollet Mall 
    Minneapolis, MN 55401 

or call: 330-5560 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area; or 1-800-527-4677 
toll-free from other locations. 


                              TABLE OF CONTENTS 

                                            PAGE 

Available Information                         2 
Information Incorporated by Reference         2 
The Company                                   3 
Proposed Merger                               3 
Description of the Plan                       4 
 How to Enroll                                4 
 Participation                                5 
 How the Plan Works                           5 
 How Investments are Made                     5 
 Statements of Account                        7 
 Certificates for Shares                      7 
 How to Make a Change in Participation        8 
 How to Terminate Participation               9 
 Other Information                           10 
 Federal Income Tax Information              11 
 Experts                                     12 
 Legal Opinion                               12 
 Indemnification                             12 
 Additional Information                      12 


NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALES HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER 
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE 
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. NO DEALER, BROKER, SALESMAN OR 
ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY 
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION 
WITH THE OFFERING CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND INFORMATION OR 
REPRESENTATIONS NOT HEREIN CONTAINED, IF GIVEN OR MADE, MUST NOT BE RELIED 
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT 
CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY 
BE MADE. 


                                   PROSPECTUS

                                     [LOGO]

                                 NORTHERN STATES
                                  POWER COMPANY
                            (A MINNESOTA CORPORATION)

                            Dividend Reinvestment and
                               Stock Purchase Plan



                                   PART II 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. 
Set forth below is an estimate of the approximate amount of fees and expenses 
payable by the Registrant (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) 
in connection with the issuance and sale of the Common Stock (par value $2.50 
per share) (the "Common Stock"): 

Registration fee under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended  $ 61,175.17 
State qualification fees and expenses                             2,000.00 
Printing                                                         35,000.00 
Accounting services                                               5,000.00 
Legal fees to Company counsel                                     7,500.00 
Miscellaneous, including telephone, stationery, postage and 
 other out-of-pocket expenses                                     2,000.00 
  Total                                                        $112,675.17 

All items are estimated except the first. 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. 
Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes permits indemnification of 
officers and directors of domestic or foreign corporations under certain 
circumstances and subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to authorization 
contained in the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Article 4 of 
the Bylaws of the Company contains provisions for indemnification of its 
directors and officers consistent with the provisions of Section 302A.521 of 
the Minnesota Statutes. The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation also 
contain provisions limiting the liability of the Company's directors in 
certain instances. 

The Company has obtained insurance policies indemnifying the Company and the 
Company's directors and officers against certain civil liabilities and 
related expenses. 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS 
Certain Exhibits listed below were filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission as Exhibits to certain Registration Statements and Reports under 
the Exhibit number indicated after each such exhibit and are incorporated 
herein by this reference. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  <S>      <C>
   4.01    Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended [filed as Exhibit 3.01 to the Company's Quarterly 
           Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 1-3034) for the quarter ended March 31, 1992 and incorporated 
           by reference herein]. 
   4.02    By-laws [filed as Exhibit 3.02 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-3034) 
           for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated by reference herein]. 
   5.01    Opinion of Chandra G. Houston as to legality of the Common Stock being registered. 
  23.01    Independent Auditors' Consent. 
  23.02    Independent Auditors' Consent. 
  23.03    Consent of Legal Counsel (see Item 5.01). 
  24.01    Power of Attorney. 
  99.01    Proxy Statement dated August 7, 1995 [filed with the Commission (file no. 1-3034) and incorporated 
           by reference herein]. 
</TABLE>

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. 
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: 

       (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being 
    made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to 
    include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act 
    of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising 
    after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent 
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, 
    represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 
    registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or 
    decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of 
    securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any 
    deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range 
    may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission 
    pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and 
    price represented no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate 
    offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in 
    the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material 
    information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously 
    disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such 
    information in the registration statement; provided, however, that clauses 
    (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form 
    S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a 
    post-effective amendment by those clauses is contained in periodic reports 
    filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the 
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the 
    registration statement. 

       (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 
    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed 
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered 
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed 
    to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 

       (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment 
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the 
    termination of the offering. 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of 
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of 
the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable, each filing of an 
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934), that is incorporated by reference in the 
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement 
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such 
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering 
thereof. 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and State of Minnesota, on the 24th day
of January, 1996.


                              NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY 

                              By: /s/ ARLAND D. BRUSVEN 
                                      Arland D. Brusven 
                                 Vice President -- Finance 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this 
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the 
capacities and on the dates indicated. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                    TITLE                                     DATE 
<S>                          <C>                                   <C>
James J. Howard              Principal Executive Officer 
                              and Director 
Edward J. McIntyre           Principal Financial Officer 
Roger D. Sandeen             Principal Accounting Officer 
H. Lyman Bretting            Director 
David A. Christensen         Director 
W. John Driscoll             Director 
Dale L. Haakenstad           Director 
Allen F. Jacobson            Director 
Richard M. Kovacevich        Director 
Douglas W. Leatherdale       Director 
John E. Pearson              Director 
G. M. Pieschel               Director 
Margaret R. Preska           Director 
A. Patricia Sampson          Director 

By:  /s/ ARLAND D. BRUSVEN                                          January 24, 1996
         Arland D. Brusven 
         (attorney-in-fact) 

</TABLE>

                                EXHIBIT INDEX 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 METHOD 
   OF 
 FILING     NO.    EXHIBIT 
<S>       <C>      <C>                                                                                   <C>
          4.01     Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended [filed as Exhibit 3.01 to the Company's 
                   Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-3034) for the quarter ended March 31, 1992 
                   and incorporated by reference herein]. 

          4.02     By-laws [filed as Exhibit 3.02 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File 
                   No. 1-3034) for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated by reference herein]. 

DT        5.01     Opinion of Chandra G. Houston as to legality of the Common Stock being registered 

DT        23.02    Independent Auditors' Consent 

DT        23.01    Independent Auditors' Consent 

DT        23.03    Consent of Legal Counsel (see Item 5.01) 

DT        24.01    Power of Attorney 

          99.01    Proxy Statement dated August 7, 1995 [filed with the Commission (file no. 1-3034) 
                   and incorporated by reference herein] 
</TABLE>



                                                                    Exhibit 5.01
January 24, 1996



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Re:      3,500,000 shares of Common Stock of Northern States Power Company,
         a Minnesota corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am participating in the proceedings incident to the proposed issuance by
Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), of up to
3,500,000 additional shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share ("the
shares"), pursuant to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase
Plan. I have examined all records, instruments, and documents which I have
deemed necessary to examine for the purposes of this opinion, including the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the shares to be filed by the
Company pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933.

Based upon the foregoing and upon my general familiarity with the Company and
its affairs, I am of the opinion:

     1.  That the Company is a duly organized and validly existing corporation
         under the laws of the State of Minnesota and that it is legally
         qualified and authorized to operate and conduct business in the State
         of Minnesota.

     2.  When, as and if the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to which this
         opinion is an exhibit becomes effective pursuant to the provisions of
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the shares have been duly
         issued and delivered, and the consideration for the shares has been
         duly received by the Company, all in the manner contemplated by said
         Registration Statement, the shares will be legally issued, fully paid,
         and nonassessable shares of stock of the Company.

I hereby consent to the incorporation of this opinion into said Registration
Statement and the reference to me under the heading "Legal Opinion" in said
Registration Statement.

Respectfully submitted,



Chandra G. Houston




                                                                   Exhibit 23.01

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of Northern States Power Company (the Company) on Form S-3 (relating
to the Northern States Power Company registration of 3,500,000 shares of common
stock for the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan) of our report dated
February 8, 1995 (which expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an
explanatory paragraph referring to the Company's change in method of accounting
for postretirement health care costs in 1993), appearing on page 44 in Item 8 of
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Northern States Power Company for the year
ended December 31, 1994 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
January 24, 1996
Minneapolis, Minnesota





                                                                   Exhibit 23.02

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 25, 1995 appearing on page 65 of Wisconsin Energy Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994. We also consent to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.





PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 24, 1996





                                                                   Exhibit 24.01

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY, a Minnesota corporation (the
Company), is about to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under
the provisions of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended, one or more
registration statements and one or more amendments to registration statements
relating to the issuance of up to 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$2.50 per share in connection with its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase
Plan; and

         WHEREAS, each of the undersigned holds the office or offices in the
Company herein below set opposite his name, respectively;

         NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints
ARLAND D. BRUSVEN, his/her attorney, with full power to act for him/her and in
his/her name, place, and stead, to sign his/her name in the capacity or
capacities set forth below to any registration statements or amendments relating
to the issuance of up to 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per
share, for use in connection with its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase
Plan; and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney may or shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands this 24th day
of January, 1996.

<TABLE>

<S>                                                            <C>
                  /s/ James J. Howard                               /s/ Douglas W. Leatherdale
                     James J. Howard                             Douglas W. Leatherdale, Director
          Principal Executive Officer & Director


                 /s/ H. Hyman Bretting                                 /s/ John E. Pearson
               H. Hyman Bretting, Director                          John E. Pearson, Director


                 /s/ David A. Christensen                               /s/ G. M. Pieschel
              David A. Christensen, Director                         G. M. Pieschel, Director


                  /s/ W. John Driscoll                                /s/ Margaret R. Preska
                W. John Driscoll, Director                         Margaret R. Preska, Director


                  /s/ Dale L. Haakenstad                             /s/ A. Patricia Sampson
               Dale L. Haakenstad, Director                       A. Patricia Sampson, Director


                  /s/ Allen F. Jacobson                              /s/ Edward J. McIntyre
               Allen F. Jacobson, Director                              Edward J. McIntyre
                                                                   Principal Financial Officer


               /s/ Richard M. Kovacevich                               /s/ Roger D. Sandeen
             Richard M. Kovacevich, Director                             Roger D. Sandeen
                                                                   Principal Accounting Officer

</TABLE>




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