Empire District Electric Company of Joplin said Monday the increase will raise rates of a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours by about $14.43 per month.

The company says the increase is expected to generate about $1.37 million for capital investments; operating system replacement costs and ongoing operation and maintenance expenses.

The company provides electricity, natural gas through a wholly owned subsidiary, and water service to approximately 217,000 customers in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.