PR-11-160 -- PSC Sets Intervention Deadline In Empire District Electric Fuel Adjustment Charge Case

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- APRIL 6, 2011

JEFFERSON CITY---The Empire District Electric Company (Empire) has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to adjust the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the bills of its electric customers.

The FAC rider mechanism, which allows for this adjustment, was adopted in a July 2008 rate case decision and is not associated with the pending Empire electric rate case that is currently before the Commission. The FAC mechanism allows for an adjustment to address fuel and purchase power cost volatility.

Empire’s application reflects fuel and purchased power costs for the period of September 1, 2010 through February 1, 2011. For a residential customer using 1,000 kWh (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity a month, electric bills will drop by approximately $1.65 a month to $0.88 a month, according to the company’s filing. This change, if approved, would take effect in June 2011.

Applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed no later than April 19, 2011, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0360.

The Empire District Electric Company serves approximately 148,000 electric customers in the Missouri counties of Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone and Taney.

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Case No. ER-2011-0320