Introduction:
The Empire District Electric Company, together with its subsidiaries, generates, purchases, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It operates through three segments: Electric, Gas, and Other. The Electric segment generates electricity from coal-fired, natural gas, and hydro plants; and provides water services to 3 towns in Missouri. As of December 31, 2015, this segment served approximately 170,000 customers, which comprise residential, commercial, industrial, wholesale on-system, and other customers. It owns generating facilities with an aggregate generating capacity of 1,280 megawatts; transmission system consisting of approximately 22 miles of 345 kV lines, 405 miles of 161 kV lines, 745 miles of 69 kV lines, and 82 miles of 34.5 kV lines; and distribution system comprising approximately 6,932 miles of lines. This segment also owns and operates water pumping facilities and distribution systems consisting of a total of approximately 96 miles of water mains in 3 communities in Missouri. The Gas segment distributes natural gas to 48 communities and 434 transportation customers in northwest, north central, and west central Missouri. This segment serves approximately 43,200 customers. As of December 31, 2015, its principal gas utility properties consisted of approximately 87 miles of transmission mains and approximately 1,189 miles of distribution mains. The Other segment is involved in leasing fiber optics cable and equipment. The Empire District Electric Company was founded in 1909 and is based in Joplin, Missouri.