JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- Southeast Kansas customers of Empire District Electric Co. could be paying higher rates next year.

Empire said Wednesday it has filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission for a $5.2 million rate increase. The company says the increase would amount to about $25 a month for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours.

Missouri-based Empire serves about 10,000 electric customers in Kansas, all in the southeast corner of the state.

The company says the new rates would take effect next summer if approved by Kansas regulators.