PR-09-84 -- PSC Sets Intervention Deadline In Empire District Electric Request

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- NOVEMBER 6, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY---The Empire District Electric Company has filed an application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking commission authority to sell and transfer a portion of its system to the City of Monett.  The two areas affected are the Valley View Estates subdivision and the Heim Trailer Court.  These areas were annexed by the City of Monett in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

The Empire District Electric Company currently provides electric service to 42 residential customers, five private outdoor lighting accounts and one commercial structure in the Valley View Estates area, and 46 residential customers and one vacant commercial structure located within the Heim Trailer Court area.  If the proposed sale and transfer is approved, these customers would receive electric service from the City of Monett.

Applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed no later than November 18, 2008, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102.  Copies of the application should be sent to: Paul A. Boudreau, Brydon, Swearengen & England, P.C., 312 East Capitol Ave., P.O. Box 456, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102; Bill Eichman, The Empire District Electric Company, 602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801; Amy Boxx, 405 East Broadway, Monett, Missouri 65708; Pete Rauch, Supt. of Utilities, City of Monett, 217 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 110, Monett, Missouri 65708; and the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230.

The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency that represents the general public in matters before the commission.  Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone (866) 922-2959, e-mail opcservice@ded.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission staff (P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, e-mail pscinfo@psc.mo.gov).

Requests for a formal evidentiary hearing or for a local public hearing must filed with the commission no later than November 18, 2008.

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Case No. EO-2009-0159