8-K

UNITED STATES

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):  August 19, 2010

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 S. Joplin Avenue, 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)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECTION 8 – OTHER EVENTS

Item 8.01                Other Events.

The Empire District Electric Company announced that the Missouri Public Service Commission issued an order in case ER-2010-0130 finding that the Plum Point Generating Station is fully operational and used for service. Furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release, which is incorporated by reference herein.

SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)           Exhibits.  The following exhibit is furnished herewith:

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated August 19, 2010.

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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/ Gregory A. Knapp
	Name:	Gregory A. Knapp
	Title:	Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: August 20, 2010

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated August 19, 2010.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS Amy Bass Director of Corporate Communications 417-625-5114 abass@empiredistrict.com INVESTOR RELATIONS Jan Watson Secretary – Treasurer 417-625-5108 jwatson@empiredistrict.com

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

ANNOUNCES NEW ELECTRIC RATES FOR MISSOURI CUSTOMERS

JOPLIN, MO — August 19, 2010 — The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) today announced that the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) has found that the Plum Point Generating Station located at Osceola, Arkansas, met all in-service criteria prior to the August 15 deadline that was established in the MPSC Order issued on May 19, 2010.

The Order granted an annual increase in revenues of approximately $46.8 million, or about 13.4 percent.  For a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, this will mean a monthly increase of about $13.00.  Rates are expected to go into effect on September 10, 2010.

In making the announcement, Bill Gipson, president and CEO, stated, “The new rates will allow us to begin recovery of the costs associated with the environmental upgrades at Iatan 1 and the new Plum Point Generating Station.  These additions will allow us to continue to provide reliable service to our customers with a balanced mix of resources using the least cost options.”

Commission Chairman Robert M. Clayton III in a release issued by the MPSC stated, “The Commission is pleased that the state-of-the-art Plum Point power plant is now providing service to Empire’s customers.  This facility has the most advanced equipment available to meet all required environmental regulations.”

(more)

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY · 602 JOPLIN AVENUE · JOPLIN, MISSOURI 64802 · 417-625-5100 · FAX: 417-625-5169 · www.empiredistrict.com

Because of construction delays, recovery of the Company’s costs related to the new Iatan 2 generating unit - which was originally sought in this case - has been postponed until the next case in Missouri. The Company anticipates filing the next rate case in mid-to-late September.

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned 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.  For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.

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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.

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