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): April 12, 2010

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 S. Joplin Avenue, 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 8 — OTHER EVENTS

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) became law. This legislation includes a provision that reduces the deductibility, for income tax purposes, of retiree healthcare costs to the extent an employer receives federal subsidies. Companies receive the subsidy when they provide retiree prescription benefits at least equivalent to Medicare Part D coverage in their postretirement healthcare plan. Although the elimination of this tax benefit does not take effect until 2013, this change requires Empire to recognize the full accounting impact in our financial statements in the period in which the legislation is enacted. As a result, in the first quarter of 2010, Empire expects to record a one-time non-cash charge to income taxes of approximately $2.1 million to reflect the impact of this change. Empire’s 2010 effective tax rate is also expected to increase due to the additional tax expense associated with the current year retiree health care accruals.

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
Dated: April 12, 2010		Title:	Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer