Exhibit 23(b)


                Consent of Independent Public Accountants

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports
dated February 16, 2001, included or incorporated by reference in
FirstEnergy Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, as
amended, and to all references to our Firm included in this registration
statement.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Arthur Andersen LLP

Cleveland, Ohio,
November __, 2001.