PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 17, 1995
      
G. C. Hunter                            Dateline: July 17, 1995
Secretary-Treasurer                     For Release: Immediately


             THE EMPIRE DISTRCT ELECTRIC COMPANY
             ANNOUNCES EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM
                              


JOPLIN,  MO  -  The Empire District Electric Company  (NYSE:
EDE),  announced  today  that it  is  offering  an  enhanced
voluntary  early  retirement  program  to  53  of  its   654
employees.  The employees eligible for the program  will  be
those  who will have attained age 55 and completed 25  years
of  service  by the end of 1995.  Employees will have  until
August 31, 1995 to make their decision with their retirement
being effective November 1, 1995.

      This  program is part of an initiative  by  Empire  to
position  the Company to be more competitive in  a  changing
industry.   The  cost cutting measure is  intended  to  help
Empire  better  meet  competition  by  providing  more  cost
effective  service to its customers.  The  Company  is  also
undergoing  an evaluation of its internal organization,  the
results  of which should be known during the 3rd quarter  of
1995.

      The voluntary early retirement program could result in
a  pre-tax  charge  of  approximately $5.4  million  if  all
eligible  employees accept the program.   The  Company  will
record  the  costs  associated  with  the  voluntary   early
retirements during the 3rd quarter of this year.   The  one-
time  costs  are expected to be recovered over a  period  of
approximately  2 years by reduced employee costs  commencing
in November of 1995.

      Empire  supplies electric service to a 10,000  square-
mile area in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast
Oklahoma  and northwest Arkansas.  The Company also provides
water service in three incorporated communities in Missouri.