October

October 30, 2000

AMERICAN ECOLOGY REPORTS SOLID EARNINGS, 31% YEAR-TO-DATE GROWTH

Core Business Performance Fuels Fourth Consecutive Profitable Quarter
BOISE, Idaho – Jim Baumgardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ: ECOL], today announced net income of $1 million or $.07 per basic share after preferred stock dividends for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 compared to a loss of $212 thousand or ($.02) loss per basic share after preferred stock dividends for the same period last year. Revenue for the third quarter increased to $11.8 million, almost double the $6 million in revenue posted for the same period in 1999.

Net income for the nine months ending September 30, 2000 was $2.9 million or $.22 per basic share after preferred stock dividends compared to $1.1 million or $.08 per basic share for the same period last year. Revenue for the nine months just ended climbed to $31.6 million, a 31 % increase over the first nine months of 1999.

"As these results demonstrate, American Ecology continues to post solid earnings while growing revenues" Baumgardner said, adding "we believe the company is well positioned for future growth."

The company’s chemical division, specifically its Beatty, Nevada facility, continued to perform ahead of plan in the third quarter. The company also commenced operations at its new municipal solid waste landfill in Robstown, Texas during the third quarter. The radioactive waste division also showed improvement from previous periods, in large part due to slightly better performance at the company’s Oak Ridge, Tennessee facility.

American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a variety of radioactive, PCB, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to commercial and government customers throughout the United States, such as nuclear power plants, medical and academic institutions and petro-chemical facilities. The company provides scientific solutions that protect people and the environment. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the Company is the oldest radioactive and hazardous waste services company in the United States.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions about the industry and markets in which American Ecology Corporation and its subsidiaries operate. Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed herein and no assurance can be given that the company can successfully implement its growth strategy, generate future earnings, or prevail in pending litigation. For information on factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to American Ecology Corporation’s Report 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) ($ in 000’s except per share amounts)