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                                                                  Exhibit 23(b)
(LOGO)
ERNST & YOUNG LLP   One Indiana Square                  Phone:     317 681 7000
                    Suite 3400                          Fax:       317 681 7216
                    Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2094



                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We  consent to the  reference  to our firm under the  caption  "Experts"  in the
Registration  Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-             ) and related Prospectus
of  Minnesota Power & Light Company for the registration of 96,526 shares of its
common stock and to the  incorporation by reference  therein of our report dated
January 17,  1996  (except  Note 13, as to which the date is January 19,  1996),
with respect to the consolidated  financial  statements of ADESA Corporation for
the six months ended December 31, 1995 (not presented  separately therein) which
are included in the consolidated financial statements of Minnesota Power & Light
Company that are  incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended  December  31,  1995,  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.

                                                      Ernst & Young LLP
                                                    
 
July 9, 1996






              Ernst & Young LLP is a member of Ernst & Young International, Ltd.
