JOPLIN, MO.

The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) announced the pricing of 3,300,000 newly issued shares of its common stock at a price per share of $20.25. In addition, the underwriters will have an option to purchase from the Company up to an additional 495,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any. UBS Investment Bank is the sole book-running manager. A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated are acting as co-managers. The closing of the offering is anticipated to occur on or about June 21, 2006.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of Empire’s common stock. The offering of shares was made by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of Empire’s effective shelf registration statement, a copy of which can be obtained from UBS Securities LLC, Attn: Prospectus Dept., 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171, (212) 713-2626.

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned utility providing electric service to approximately 162,000 customers in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas; natural gas service to approximately 48,500 customers in northwest, north central and west central Missouri; and water service to about 4,600 customers in three southwest Missouri communities. The Company also provides fiber optic and Internet services, customer information software services and has an investment in close-tolerance, custom manufacturing.

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