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): April 26, 2007


                      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)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)

|_|  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

|_|  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECTION 2 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Item 2.02         Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

                  On April 26, 2007, The Empire District Electric Company (the
                  "Company") issued a press release announcing the Company's
                  earnings for the first quarter of 2007 and for the twelve
                  month period ended March 31, 2007. Furnished herewith as
                  Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release, which is
                  incorporated by reference herein.

                  The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1
                  hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18
                  of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or
                  otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or
                  Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, nor
                  shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing
                  under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except
                  as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


SECTION 9 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01.        Financial Statements and Exhibits.

                  (c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished herewith:

                  Exhibit No.  Description

                  99.1         Press Release, dated April 26, 2007.

                                    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/   Gregory A. Knapp
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                     Name: Gregory A. Knapp
                     Title:Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: April 26, 2007





                                  Exhibit Index


        Exhibit
         Number     Description
        --------    -----------
          99.1      Press Release, dated April 26, 2007.