The Empire District Electric Company Issues $38,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds

The Empire District Electric Company EDE announced today that it has entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2012, for a private placement of $88,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.58% First Mortgage Bonds due 2027. The first settlement of $38,000,000 occurred today, and a second settlement of $50,000,000 is anticipated to occur on or about June 1, 2012. The bonds will mature on April 2, 2027. Interest is payable semi-annually on the bonds on each April 2 and October 2, commencing October 2, 2012.