Wildcat Glades Joins Green-e Marketplace With 150 MWh Donation From The Empire District Electric Company

Donation matches 100% of electricity usage for Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center's operations

Contact Jeff Swenerton Communications Director Center for Resource Solutions 415-561-2119 jeff@resource-solutions.org

Emily J. Stanley Corporate Communications Coordinator The Empire District Electric Company 417-625-5180 estanley@empiredistrict.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 15, 2009)—Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today that Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, a conservation and education center in Joplin, MO, has joined Green-e® Marketplace with a donation by The Empire District Electric Company of 150 MWh of renewable energy certificates from the Elk River Wind Farm in Latham, KS. This donation is equal to 100% of the electricity used by Wildcat Glades' entire operations. By participating in Green-e Marketplace, Wildcat Glades can now display the Green-e logo to demonstrate its use of renewable energy.

"We are pleased to welcome Wildcat Glades into Green-e Marketplace," said Orrin Cook, Green-e Marketplace manager. "The Center's conservation focus and commitment to renewable energy highlight its efforts to both minimize its own environmental impact and protect natural resources."

"Empire District proudly helps the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center further its mission of appreciating, conserving, and understanding our natural world by providing the Center with renewable energy credits to offset its total annual energy use. The Green-e Energy certified credits are derived from energy generated at the Elk River Wind Farm, which is purchased by Empire through a 20-year power-purchase agreement," said Brad Beecher, VP and COO-Electric for Empire District.

Wildcat Glades joins a growing list of companies, nonprofits, and organizations taking real action to reduce the impact of their energy use. Electricity generated from renewable sources results in less environmental waste and pollution and displaces other non-renewable sources from the electric grid. Empire's donation of certificates from electricity generated from nearly emissions-free renewable sources avoids carbon dioxide and other pollutants and serves to build the market for renewable energy nationwide, increasing incentives for developing new facilities. Currently, renewable energy accounts for only about three percent of total electricity generation nationwide.

The renewable energy certificates retired on behalf of Wildcat Glades were certified by Green-e Energy, the leading renewable energy certification program in the nation. Green-e Energy provides independent, third-party certification to ensure renewable energy products meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards, including sourcing from verified, new facilities; not double-counted towards any state's renewable energy goal; and retired on behalf of the purchaser. Every Green-e Marketplace participant undergoes an annual verification audit to document that it has received or generated enough certified renewable energy to meet its commitment.

About The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center
The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, located in Wildcat Park, in Joplin, MO, is adjacent to some of the last remaining chert glades, globally unique habitats found only near the Center. This area is adjacent to the biologically rich Shoal Creek, which is an important place for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Audubon Center is a partnership project of Audubon Missouri, the City of Joplin, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Opened in 2007, the Center itself is a celebration of nature. Innovative green technologies create a truly distinctive building in keeping with our mission of appreciating, conserving, and understanding our natural world. Visit www.wildcatglades.audubon.org for more info.

About Empire District Electric
Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned regulated 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 provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.

About Green-e Marketplace and Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e Marketplace provides forward-thinking organizations with a simple, nationally recognized logo they can use to communicate their commitment to renewable energy to their customers and shareholders. The Green-e logo is the nation's leading symbol of renewable energy excellence and distinguishes Green-e Marketplace participants as environmental leaders. Green-e is a program of Center for Resource Solutions, a nonprofit that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. To learn more, visit Center for Resource Solutions and Green-e Marketplace.

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