EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each of the undersigned does hereby appoint Paul J. Leighton and Brian
K. Hankel and each of them severally, his true or her true and lawful attorneys,
with full power of substitution in his or her name, place and stead, to execute
on his or her behalf a registration statement on Form S-3 of MidAmerican Energy
Company relating to the issuance and sale of up to $600,000,000 principal amount
of debt securities and preferred stock and other aspects of the financing
transactions related to such issuance and sale, to be filed pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments thereto
(including post-effective amendments), and other documents relating thereto,
including exhibits, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of such attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act with or without the others.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this instrument
as of December 12, 2002.


/s/ David L. Sokol
--------------------------------
David L. Sokol


/s/ Thomas B. Specketer
--------------------------------
Thomas B. Specketer