Exhibit 23.5




                                December 5, 2001




The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
Cleveland Electric Financing Trust I
76 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio  44308


                  Re:  Registration Statement On Form S-2
                       ----------------------------------

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am Associate General Counsel for The Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company, an Ohio corporation (the "COMPANY"). In connection with the filing by
the Company and Cleveland Electric Financing Trust I, a Delaware statutory
business trust sponsored by the Company (the "TRUST") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as of the date hereof of Amendment No. 2 to the registration
statement on Form S-2 (File Nos. 333-64776 and 333-64776-01), I hereby consent
to the use of my name under the caption "Legal Opinions" in the prospectus
contained in such registration statement. In giving such consent, I do not
thereby admit that I am in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act.

                                                           Very truly yours,



                                     /s/ Gary D. Benz
                                    ----------------------------
                                    Gary D. Benz
                                    Associate General Counsel
                                    The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company