GREEN-E CERTIFIES EMPIRE DISTRICT'S RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES

The Market Continues Growth with Another Certified Marketer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 11, 2005)-- The Green-e Program of the Center for Resource Solutions announced today that Empire District Electric Company's Elk River Wind renewable energy credits (RECs) are now Green-e certified. Empire District joins the largest network of renewable energy providers who certify their high quality products with the nation's leading certification and verification program.

The Elk River Wind Farm supplying the certified RECs is a 150 MW facility located near Beaumont, Kansas. Empire has a 20-year contract with PPM Energy, the U.S. competitive subsidiary of ScottishPower, to purchase the energy generated at the Elk River facility.

"The Elk River wind project is a major step in ensuring that our customers benefit from a balanced mix of generation options. Energy from the Elk River project provides price stability and is economical for our customers. We are pleased to have our renewable energy credits certified," said Brad Beecher, Vice President - Energy Supply for Empire District.

Green-e is the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in the U.S., and the Green-e logo is the national symbol for renewable energy excellence. The program provides independent, third party certification to ensure certified renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards. Green-e's verification protects customers from paying for renewable energy that is "double sold" to other customers or used simultaneously to meet regulatory mandates. Through the display and recognition of the Green-e logo, a growing number of consumers are able to easily identify high quality, certified renewable energy options, as well as everyday consumer products that are "Made with Certified Renewable Energy."

"Through the purchase of Elk River Wind renewable energy credits, consumers can help reduce our nation's dependence on fossil fuels to produce electricity, and help expand the market for clean renewable energy." said Dan Lieberman, Green-e Program Manager for CRS. "Green-e certification means corporate, government and residential customers who buy Empire District's certified RECs can be confident they are receiving the environmental benefits of renewable energy, and contributing to the reduction of harmful air pollutants."

Providers of Green-e certified renewable energy agree to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and meet Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements. As is the case with all Green-e marketers, Empire District will undergo an annual verification audit to document that the company purchased or generated enough quantity and type of renewable energy to meet customer demand and marketing claims.

About The Empire District Electricity Company
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. Please visit the company's website at: http://www.empiredistrict.com/or call toll-free 1-800-206 2300.

About Green-e and the Center for Resource Solutions
Launched in 1997, The Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program is the leading voluntary certification and verification program that sets standards for renewable electricity-based products in three markets for renewable energy: restructured, regulated, and tradable renewable certificates. To learn more about certified renewable energy available throughout North America, visit http://www.green-e.org/, or call 1-888-63-GREEN.

Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that makes it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric power. To learn more about CRS, visit: http://www.resource-solutions.org/.

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