The Empire District Electric Company Prices Offering of First Mortgage Bonds

2008-05-14 03:45:01 -

www.empiredistrict.com - The Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE:EDE) announced today that it priced an offering of $90,000,000 principal amount of its 6.375% First Mortgage Bonds. The closing is expected to occur on May 16, 2008. The bonds will mature on June 1, 2018. Interest is payable on the bonds on each June 1 and December 1 beginning December 1, 2008. UBS Securities LLC is the sole book-running manager.

Funds raised will be used to pay down short-term indebtedness, with the remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of Empire's first mortgage bonds. The offering of first mortgage bonds was made by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of Empire's effective shelf registration statement, a copy of which can be obtained from UBS Securities LLC by calling 1-877-827-6444, ext. 561 3884.

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE: EDE) is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electricity, 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.

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 Form 10-Q.

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