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EXHIBIT 23.01
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of our report dated
January 31, 2000, except as to Note 2, which is as of February 22, 2000
relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in Northern
States Power Company'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, Minnesota
June 9, 2000