8-K 1 0001.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 7, 2000 THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) Kansas (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-3368 44-0236370 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) 602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100 Not applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Item 5 Other Events Attached hereto as Exhibit 99 is a press release issued by the Company on December 7, 2000 concerning an order from the Administrative Law Judge of the Arkansas Public Service Commission relating to Empire's proposed merger with UtiliCorp United Inc. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY By /s/ R. B. Fancher Name: R. B. Fancher Title: Vice President - Finance Dated: December 7, 2000 Exhibit Index Exhibit Number Description 99 Press Release dated December 7, 2000 concerning an order from the Administrative Law Judge of the Arkansas Public Service Commission relating to Empire's proposed merger with UtiliCorp United Inc.