Company Website: http://www.empiredistrict.com
JOPLIN, Mo. -- (Business Wire)

The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) announced today that it has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) for changes in rates for its Missouri water customers. The Company is seeking an annual increase in revenues of approximately $516,400, or 29.6 percent. A residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month will see a monthly increase of approximately $7.30.

In making the announcement, Ms. Kelly Walters, Vice President and COO-Electric,, stated, "Since our last rate increase in 2006, we have experienced increased operating expenses and have invested approximately $2.3 million in improvements, upgrades, and additional extensions to meet the needs of our customers."

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE: EDE) is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electric, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company), and water service, with approximately 215,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the Company also provides fiber optic services. Empire provides water service in the communities of Aurora, Verona, and Marionville, Missouri. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements address future plans, objectives, expectations, and events or conditions concerning various matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of the factors noted in our filings with the SEC, including the most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q.

Contacts:

The Empire District Electric Company
Media Communications:
Amy Bass, 417-625-5114
Director of Corporate Communications
abass@empiredistrict.com
or
Investor Relations:
Jan Watson, 417-625-5108
Secretary – Treasurer
jwatson@empiredistrict.com

Source: The Empire District Electric Company