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EXHIBIT (10)(a)

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

STOCK UNIT PLAN FOR DIRECTORS

OF THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

        The Stock Unit Plan for Directors of The Empire District Electric
Company is hereby amended, effective as of January 1, 2002, in the following
respects:

1.Section 7(c)(i) is amended to read as follows:

"(i)the Director's Annual Retainer Fees as in effect on such January 1st or, if
the Committee establishes a fixed amount for the Annual Credit for the
applicable calendar year, such fixed amount,"

2.Section 7(d)(i) is amended to read as follows:

"(i)the amount of the Eligible New Director's Retainer Fees (excluding meeting
and committee fees) for the balance of the calendar year of his or her initial
election as a Director (computed as a percentage of the Annual Retainer Fees as
in effect on the date of his or her initial election) or, if the Committee
establishes a fixed amount for the Annual Credit for that calendar year pursuant
to Section 7(c)(i) above, the amount of the Annual Credit set by the Committee
divided by twelve and multiplied by the number of whole months remaining for the
balance of such year"

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this First Amendment to the
Stock Unit Plan for Directors of The Empire District Electric to be executed by
its duly authorized representative on this 31st day of January 2002.

    THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
 
By:
 
         

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    Its President
ATTEST
 
 
 
 

By
 
 
 
     

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    Its Secretary    

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EXHIBIT (10)(a)