PRESS RELEASE

Contact:

For Immediate Release

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:Amy Bass Janet S. Watson

Director of Corporate Communications Secretary - Treasurer
417 625-5114 417 625-5108 abass@empiredistrict.com jwatson@empiredistrict.com

Empire District Electric Schedules Conference Call to Discuss the Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011

JOPLIN, MO-(BUSINESS WIRE)-January 24, 2012 - The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss the results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 on Friday, February 3, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (12:00 p.m. Central). The conference call will follow the Company's earnings news release, which will be available on Thursday, February 2, 2012.
Participants in the call should dial 877-941-0844, no passcode required. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 800-406-7325 and entering the passcode 4509883#.
A live webcast of the call can be accessed via the Internet on Empire's web site at www.empiredistrict.com. The webcast will be available for replay for one year.
Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE: EDE) is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electricity, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company), and water service, with approximately 211,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the Company also provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.
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THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY