Empire District Electric Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utility |
| Founded | October 16, 1909 in Topeka, Kansas, United States |
| Fate | Acquired by Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation in 2017; became Liberty Utilities |
| Successor | Liberty Utilities |
| Headquarters | Joplin , United States |
Area served | Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas |
Key people | Bradley P. Beecher (CEO) |
| Products | Electric power, natural gas (through subsidiary), water services, fiber optic connectivity |
| Owner | Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation (since 2017) |
| Parent | Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation |
| Website | www |
The Empire District Electric Company (reporting mark: EDEX) operates as a privately held utility firm delivering electrical, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Empire District Gas Company), and water services to nearly 215,000 clients throughout Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Additionally, a subsidiary provides fiber optic connectivity.
History
Established in 1909, Empire's beginnings are linked to the expansion of the mining sector within its service region, where electric motors gradually replaced steam and mule power. Incorporation documents were submitted on October 16, 1909, in Topeka, Kansas, merging several smaller entities under the parent company Cities Services.
At its founding, Empire maintained 109 miles of transmission infrastructure with an 8-megawatt generation capacity catering to 2,400 customers. Presently, it oversees more than 1,200 miles of transmission lines and owns generating assets exceeding 1,300 megawatts, serving upwards of 165,000 electricity consumers.
In Missouri, Empire also supplies water and natural gas services. The Empire Water Company, founded in 1926, supports around 4,500 customers. The company expanded into natural gas distribution in 2006 by establishing The Empire District Gas Company, which now serves over 45,000 customers.
To enhance energy management efforts, Empire provides various efficiency initiatives such as equipment upgrade rebates and complimentary online home energy assessments customized for each state.
In a 2015 decision by the Missouri Supreme Court regarding solar rebate exemptions, Empire was ordered to commence paying solar rebates starting May 2015. Previously, the company had opposed such rebates to safeguard shareholder interests but was required to align with other utilities like Ameren and Kansas City Power.
On February 9, 2016, Empire announced it would be acquired by Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation of Oakville, Ontario for $3.4 billion. This transaction finalized in early 2017 and resulted in the formation of Liberty Utilities.
The company's current Chief Executive Officer is Bradley P. Beecher, whose annual compensation totals $1,364,968.