EX-23.1 4 0004.txt CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Consent of Independent Public Accountants As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report (and to all references to our Firm), as it relates to IES Utilities Inc., included in or made part of this registration statement. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Milwaukee, Wisconsin February 12, 2001