
                                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
                  

         WHEREAS, NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY, a Minnesota
corporation (the Company), is about to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, a Registration Statement relating to
the issuance of up to $300 million principal amount of First
Mortgage Bonds, and one or more amendments (including Post-
Effective Amendments) to said Registration Statement.

         WHEREAS, each of the undersigned holds the office or
offices in the Company herein below set opposite their name
respectively;

         NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned hereby constitutes
and appoints ARLAND D. BRUSVEN, EDWARD J. MCINTYRE and GARY R.
JOHNSON, and each of them, individually, his/her attorney, with
full power to act for him/her and in his/her name, place, and
stead, to sign his/her name in the capacity or capacities set
forth below to any registration statement or amendments thereto
relating to the issuance of up to $300 million principal amount
of First Mortgage Bonds.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their
hands this 28th day of June, 1995.



(James J. Howard)                                      (Douglas W. Leatherdale)
James J. Howard                                        Douglas W. Leatherdale
Principal Executive Officer                            Director
  & Director


(H. Lyman Bretting)                                    (John E. Pearson)
H. Lyman Bretting                                      John E. Pearson
Director                                               Director


(David A. Christensen)                                 (G. M. Pieschel)
David A. Christensen                                   G. M. Pieschel
Director                                               Director


(W. John Driscoll)                                     (Margaret R. Preska)
W. John Driscoll                                       Margaret R. Preska
Director                                               Director


(Dale L. Haakenstad)                                   (A. Patricia Sampson)
Dale L. Haakenstad                                     A. Patricia Sampson
Director                                               Director


(Allen F. Jacobson)                                    (Edwin M. Theisen)
Allen F. Jacobson                                      Edwin M. Theisen
Director                                               Director


(Richard M. Kovacevich)                                (Edward J. McIntyre)
Richard M. Kovacevich                                  Edward J. McIntyre
Director                                               Principal Financial
                                                         Officer



(Roger D. Sandeen)
Roger D. Sandeen
Principal Accounting Officer

