EX-23.1 3 a2066664zex-23_1.htm CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN (UTILICORP) Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4) dated December 26, 2001, of our report dated February 5, 2001, included in UtiliCorp United Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to all references to our Firm included in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Kansas City, Missouri,
December 26, 2001



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