UNITED STATES
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): July 2, 2002
THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Kansas
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-3368 44-0236370
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100
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Not applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
2
Item 5 Other Events
Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a press release, which is incorporated
by reference herein, issued by the Company on July 2, 2002 relating to the
announcement of a new rating by Standard & Poor's. Attached hereto as Exhibit
99.2 is a press release, which is incorporated by reference herein, issued by
Standard & Poor's on July 2, 2002 relating the Company's new rating.
The new ratings are as follows:
Company Credit Rating BBB
First Mortgage Bonds BBB
Senior Notes BBB-
Commercial Paper A-2
Trust Preferred Securities BB+
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/ D.W. Gibson
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Name: D.W. Gibson
Title: Vice President - Regulatory and
General Services
Dated: July 2, 2002
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Description
99.1 Press Release of Empire dated July 2, 2002.
99.2 Press Release of Standard & Poor's dated July 2, 2002.