Corporate Profile for Empire District Electric Company, dated Feb. 4, 2000

Business Wire, Feb 4, 2000

    Business Editors

    --(BUSINESS WIRE)--The following Corporate Profile is available
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Published Date:     Feb. 4, 2000

Company Name:       Empire District Electric Company

Address:            602 Joplin Avenue
City:               Joplin
State/Province:     MO
ZIP/Postal Code:    64801
Country:            USA

Main Telephone
 Number:            417/625-5100

Internet URL:       www.empiredistrict.com

Chief Executive
 Officer:           Myron W. McKinney

Chief Financial
 Officer:           Robert B. Fancher

Investor Relations
 Contact:           Janet S. Watson

IR Telephone
 Number:            417/625-5100

IR E-mail:          jwatson@empiredistrict.com

Public Relations
 Contact:           Jay McBee

PR Telephone
 Number:            417/625-5100

PR E-mail:          jmcbee@empiredistrict.com

Industry:           Electric Utility

Public Company:     yes

Exchange and
 symbol:            NYSE:EDE

    Company Description: The Empire District Electric Company
(NYSE:EDE) provides generation, transmission and distribution of
electricity to approximately 145,000 customers over a 10,000-square-
mile service territory covering parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma
and Arkansas. Empire serves 141 cities and towns with Joplin,
Missouri, being the largest community and the location of the
corporate office.
    Empire also provides monitored security, fiber optic service,
decorative lighting and natural gas marketing. In addition, Empire
provides water service to three incorporated communities in Missouri.
    Founded in 1909, Empire's generating facilities include both coal
and natural gas plants and one hydroelectric plant. A 500-megawatt
combined cycle generating plant jointly owned by Empire and Western
Resources is currently under construction with completion expected in
June 2001.
    On May 11, 1999, Empire and UtiliCorp United (NYSE:UCU) announced
plans to merge the two companies. The merger has been approved by
Empire shareholders and is expected to close in late 2000 after
obtaining regulatory approval.
    Empire has been traded on the NYSE since 1946 and has paid
dividends continuously since 1944. It has a very popular Dividend
Reinvestment Plan with a 5% discount.

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   CONTACT:  EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

   KEYWORD:  MISSOURI KANSAS OKLAHOMA ARKANSAS
   INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  ENERGY UTILITIES OIL/GAS MERGERS/ACQ
   PROFILE: YES