Exhibit 23.3


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                       ----------------------------------


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements  on Form S-3 (Nos.  333-59438,  33-59674  and  33-45506)  of  Central
Illinois  Public Service  Company of our report dated February 12, 2004 relating
to the financial  statements and financial statement schedule,  which appears in
this Form 10-K.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
---------------------------------
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


St. Louis, Missouri
March 9, 2004