THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY 602 JOPLIN STREET JOPLIN,
MISSOURI 64802 417-625-5100 FAX: 417-625-5169
www.empiredistrict.com
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Jay McBee Janet S. Watson
Director of Corporate Communications Secretary - Treasurer
417 625-5100, Ext. 2369 417 625-5100, Ext. 2223
Missouri Commission Approves Empire, UtiliCorp Merger
JOPLIN, MO, December 28, 2000 - (NYSE:EDE) The Empire District
Electric Company received an order today from the Missouri Public
Service Commission approving the proposed merger of Empire and
UtiliCorp United Inc.
In the order, the Missouri Public Service Commission rejected the
regulatory plan that was filed with the merger proposal. The order
states it will become effective on January 7, 2001, which allows all
parties involved an opportunity to review the order and to file for a
rehearing.
Mr. McKinney, President and CEO of Empire stated that he was pleased
with the order approving the merger but disappointed that the
regulatory plan was not also approved.
The Empire District Electric Company is an investor-owned utility
providing electric service to approximately 145,000 customers in
southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma and northwest
Arkansas. The Company also provides monitored security, energy
services, fiber optic service and decorative lighting as well as water
service in three incorporated communities in Missouri.
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.