8-K

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 28, 2005

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Kansas

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-3368	44-0236370
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri	64801
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100

Not applicable

(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:

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

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

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

o 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 28, 2005, The Empire District Electric Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s earnings for the first quarter of 2005 and for the twelve month period ended March 31, 2005. 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 5 — CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Principal Officers, Election of Directors, Appointment of Principal Officers.

                On April 28, 2005, the Company announced that Laurie A. Delano had been elected to the positions of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer and that, effective August 1, 2005, Ms. Delano will assume the positions of Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the Company. Darryl L. Coit, who holds the positions of Controller, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer has announced his retirement effective July 31, 2005.

                Ms. Delano, 49, has served as the Director of Financial Services and Assistant Controller of the Company since 2002, when she rejoined the Company. Ms Delano was previously with Empire from 1979 to 1991 and held the position of Director of Internal Auditing (1983-1991). Prior to rejoining Empire, she was with Lozier Corporation, a store fixture manufacturing company, from 1997 to 2002, where she served as Plant Controller, and with TAMKO Roofing Products, Inc., from 1993 to 1997 where she served as Manager of Cost and Project Accounting. During the period from 1991 to 1993, Ms. Delano was an Accounting Lecturer at Pittsburg State University.

                On April 28, 2005, the Company issued a press release relating to the above matters and the re-election of the Company’s other officers. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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SECTION 9 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)           Exhibits.  The following exhibits are furnished herewith:

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated April 28, 2005.
99.2	Press Release, dated April 28, 2005.

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

Dated: April 29, 2005

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated April 28, 2005.
99.2	Press Release, dated April 28, 2005.

5

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

	PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS	INVESTOR RELATIONS
Amy Bass	Jan Watson
Director of Corporate Communications	Secretary — Treasurer
417-625-5114	417-625-5108
abass@empiredistrict.com	jwatson@empiredistrict.com

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

EARNINGS REPORT AND DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS

JOPLIN, MO, April 28, 2005—(NYSE:EDE)  At the Board of Directors meeting, the Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share on Common Stock payable June 15, 2005, to holders of record as of June 1, 2005.

The Empire District Electric Company reported a loss for the first quarter of 2005 of $(0.2) million, or $(0.01) per share, as compared to earnings in the same quarter of 2004 of $1.6 million, or $0.06 per share. Earnings for the twelve months ended March 31, 2005 were $20.0 million, or $0.78 per share.  This compares to earnings of $25.4 million, or $1.08 per share, for the twelve months ended March 31, 2004.

For the quarter, revenues were $2.3 million higher, as compared to the first quarter of 2004, positively impacting earnings per share by an estimated $0.06. Electric revenues increased $1.5 million. The effect of increases in off-system electric sales, continued customer growth and higher Missouri rates, effective March 27, 2005, had a positive impact on electric revenues, offsetting the effects from less favorable weather. Revenues from non-regulated businesses increased $0.8 million.

 Earnings declined for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004, primarily as a result of  increases in total fuel and purchased power costs.  These costs increased $3.7 million, reducing earnings per share by an estimated $0.10, primarily due to increases in the cost of natural gas.  Increased operating expenses also negatively impacted earnings by $0.03, primarily due to increased health care, pension and non-regulated business expense.

Total revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2005 were $2.0 million higher, positively impacting earnings per share by $0.06.  Electric revenues increased $0.4 million  when compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 2004.  The effect of rate increases and customer growth were offset by less favorable weather.  Revenues from non-regulated businesses increased $1.7 million.

Total fuel and purchased power costs increased $4.6 million, for the twelve  months ended March 31, 2005, reducing earnings per share by an estimated $0.13. Increased non-regulated and health care expenses reduced earnings by an estimated $0.08 and $0.04 per share, respectively. Increased depreciation and property taxes reduced earnings by an estimated $0.05 and $0.03, respectively.  Earnings also declined due to an estimated $0.07 per share dilutive effect from additional outstanding shares, primarily attributable to the sale of 2.3 million shares of common stock in December 2003 and January 2004.  Decreases in interest expense had an estimated $0.04 per share positive impact on earnings.

—more—

The Company today announced its plans to file a request on April 29, 2005 with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) for changes in rates for its Kansas electric customers.  The last rate adjustment for Kansas electric customers was effective July 31, 2002.  Since that time, Empire has finished construction of two, 50-megawatt FT8 peaking units at its Energy Center Plant, witnessed substantial increases in the cost of natural gas it uses to generate electricity, issued 2.3 million shares of common stock, and made significant additions and improvements to serve its customers.

Bill Gipson, President and CEO, will host a conference call Friday, April 29, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss earnings for the first quarter and twelve months ended.  To phone into the conference call, parties in the United States should dial 1-800-510-9834 (International 617-614-3669), passcode # 25310281, any time after 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation can also be accessed from Empire’s website at www.empiredistrict.com.  A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 1-888-286-8010 (International 1-617-801-6888) and entering passcode # 41823751.  Forward looking and other material information may be discussed during the conference call.

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

	Quarter Ended March 31					Twelve Months Ended March 31
	2005			2004		2005		2004
Operating Revenues	$	79,535,000		$	77,232,000	$	327,843,000	$	325,831,000
Net Income	$	(250,000	)	$	1,578,000	$	20,020,000	$	25,383,000
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding — Basic	25,741,887			25,283,414		25,581,294		23,510,589
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted	25,741,887			25,344,865		25,626,830		23,563,771
Earnings Per Weighted Average Share of Common - Basic	$	(0.01	)	$	0.06	$	0.78	$	1.08
Earnings Per Weighted Average Share of Common - Diluted	$	(0.01	)	$	0.06	$	0.78	$	1.08

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned utility providing electric service to approximately 157,000 customers in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.  The Company also provides fiber optic and Internet services, customer information software services, and has an investment in close-tolerance, custom manufacturing.  Empire provides water service in three incorporated communities in Missouri.

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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.

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EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

	PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS	INVESTOR RELATIONS
Amy Bass	Jan Watson
Director of Corporate Communications	Secretary — Treasurer
417-625-5114	417-625-5108
abass@empiredistrict.com	jwatson@empiredistrict.com

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

REPORTS ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

JOPLIN, MO, April 28, 2005—(NYSE:EDE)  At the annual meeting of stockholders of The Empire District Electric Company held today, Kenneth R. Allen, William L. Gipson and Bill D. Helton were elected to three-year terms as Directors of the Company.  Shareholders also approved an amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, adopted the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and adopted an amended and restated Stock Unit Plan for Directors.

At the  Board of Directors meeting held today, the following officers were re-elected:  William L. Gipson, President and Chief Executive Officer; Bradley P. Beecher, Vice President-Energy Supply;  Ronald F. Gatz, Vice President-Strategic Development; David W. Gibson, Vice President-Regulatory and General Services; Gregory A. Knapp, Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer;  Michael E. Palmer, Vice President-Commercial Operations; Janet S. Watson, Secretary-Treasurer; and Darryl L. Coit, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.  Laurie A. Delano also was elected as an Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.

Darryl L. Coit, who holds the positions of Controller, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, has announced his retirement effective July 31, 2005.  Laurie A. Delano will replace Mr. Coit as Controller and Principal Accounting Officer effective August 1, 2005.

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned utility providing electric service to approximately 157,000 customers in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.  The Company also provides fiber optic and Internet services, customer information software services, and has an investment in close-tolerance, custom manufacturing.  Empire provides 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.