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                                                                  Exhibit 23(b)

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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-8 No. 333- ) of Minnesota Power & Light Company
pertaining to the Minnesota Power  Executive  Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation
Plan 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


November 19, 1996


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