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Exhibit (99)(a)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

        In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Empire District Electric Company (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), William L. Gipson, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

        (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

        (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

By	/s/ WILLIAM L. GIPSON Name: William L. Gipson Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 14, 2002

        This certification accompanies this Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 or any other provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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Exhibit (99)(a)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002