Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following registration statements on Form S-3 and Form S-4, and related prospectuses of The Williams Companies, Inc. and in the following registration statements on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 25, 2010, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of The Williams Companies, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of The Williams Companies, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009:

     Form S-3:

          Registration Statement Nos. 333-29185, 333-106504, 333-134293, and 333-159559

     Form S-4:

          Registration Statement No. 333-159558

     Form S-8:

Registration Statement No. 33-58671	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. Stock Plan for Nonofficer Employees
Registration Statement No. 333-03957	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Registration Statement No. 333-11151	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-40721	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan for Nonofficer Employees
Registration Statement No. 333-51994	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan for Nonofficer Employees
Registration Statement No. 333-85542	—	The Williams Investment Plus Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-85546	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. 2002 Incentive Plan
Registration Statement No. 333-142985	—	The Williams Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and The Williams Companies, Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 25, 2010