8-K

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 13, 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 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)

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:

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

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

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

⃞ Pre-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.
	On August 13, 2010, The Empire District Electric Company (the Company) issued a press release announcing that it believes the Plum Point Generating Station located at Osceola, Arkansas, has successfully completed the in-service criteria established by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) before the August 15 deadline. 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 13, 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/	Ronald F. Gatz
			Name:	Ronald F. Gatz
			Title:	Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - Gas
Dated:	August 13, 2010

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated August 13, 2010.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

The Empire District Electric Company Announces Plum Point Meets In-Service Criteria

JOPLIN, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 13, 2010--The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) today announced that it believes the Plum Point Generating Station located at Osceola, Arkansas, has successfully completed the in-service criteria established by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) before the August 15 deadline.

Empire is working with other involved parties, MPSC Staff, the Office of the Public Counsel, the Department of Natural Resources, and others, to document the Plant’s compliance with required criteria. Upon Commission approval, this operational benchmark will allow for recovery of expenditures associated with the plant construction from Missouri customers beginning in September.

In addition to the 50 megawatts of ownership at Plum Point, Empire also has a Purchased Power Agreement (PPA) with Plum Point Energy Associates sourced from this facility that will provide an additional 50 megawatts of capacity.

In making the announcement, Bill Gipson, president and CEO, stated, “The energy provided through our ownership interest and the PPA sourced from Plum Point will play an important role in ensuring we are able to continue to provide reliable service to our customers through a balanced mix of energy resources.”

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.

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.

CONTACT:
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