Empire District Electric moves to lower rates

Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to lower its fuel adjustment charge for electric customers.

Reflecting fuel and purchased power costs for the six-month period of September 2011 through February 2012, the request calls for electric bills to drop by approximately $5.93 per month for residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, according to an April 6 news release from the Public Service Commission.

The proposed change would go into effect in June if there are no objections. The Public Service Commission has set an April 24 deadline on applications to intervene.

Publicly traded Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE: EDE) has roughly 149,5000 electric customers in Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone and Taney counties.

As of 10:37 a.m., the company's shares were trading at $19.83, compared to its 52-week range of $18.01 to $23.26.