PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Bass
Director, Corporate Communications
417-625-5114 abass@empiredistrict.com
THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY ANNOUNCES JOHN WOODS
PLANT MANAGER OF EMPIRE ENERGY CENTER

JOPLIN, MO - January 15, 2013 - The Empire District Electric Company has named Mr. John Woods plant manager of Empire Energy Center, a 262-megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant located east of Joplin. Mr. Woods is responsible for all aspects relating to staffing, operation, and maintenance of the plant.
Mr. Woods began his career with Empire on May 31, 1988 as an engineer at the Asbury Power Plant. He was promoted to production staff specialist in August 1993, life extension manager for Energy Supply in October 1995, results manager at State Line Power Plant in November 1999, and maintenance manager at State Line in January 2007.
Mr. Woods received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the
University of Missouri - Columbia.
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THE EMPIRE DIS T RICT ELECTRI C C O MPANY • 6 02 JO PLIN AVE NUE • JO PLIN, MISSOU R I 6 4 8 0 2 • 4 17- 62 5- 51 00 • F AX: 417 -6 25- 51 69 • ww w . e m pi redi stri c t.c o m

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He is a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Peter's Council 979, and St. Peter's Catholic
Church, Joplin, Missouri.
Mr. Woods and his wife, Tammy, reside in Webb City. They have one son and two grandchildren.
Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor- owned utility providing electric, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company), and water service, with approximately 215,000 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 DIS T RICT ELECTRI C C O MPANY • 6 02 JO PLIN AVE NUE • JO PLIN, MISSOU R I 6 4 8 0 2 • 4 17- 62 5- 51 00 • F AX: 417 -6 25- 51 69 • ww w . e m pi redi stri c t.c o m

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