EXHIBIT (23)(a)



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 25, 2002 relating to the financial statements and financial statement
schedule, which appears in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. We also consent to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

New York, NY
February 26, 2002