[PricewaterhouseCoopers Letterhead]



                                                             EXHIBIT 23




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-43743) of Central Illinois Public Service Company
of our report dated  June 28,  2000 on the  financial  statements of the Central
Illinois  Public Service  Company  Long-Term  Savings Plan, IBEW No. 702 for the
year ended December 31, 1999, which is included in this Form 11-K.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
June 28, 2000