July

July 05, 2001 | July 09, 2001| July 30, 2001

July 5, 2001
Contact: Stephen Romano 208.331.8400
info@americanecology.com

AMERICAN ECOLOGY SUBSIDIARY AWARDED $1.5 MILLION CONTRACT

Field Services Group to Decommission Closed Waste Processing Plant in Tennessee
BOISE, Idaho -- American Ecology Corporation (NASDAQ: ECOL) today announced that a $1.5 million contract was awarded to subsidiary US Ecology to decommission a closed commercial radioactive and hazardous waste processing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation awarded the competitively bid contract to US Ecology's Oak Ridge-based Field Services Division to decommission the M4 radioactive and hazardous waste processing facility. US Ecology and teaming partner D.F. Shoffner, Inc. will identify, remove, transport and dispose of radiological and chemical contaminants from the M4 site and coordinate with the state on post- cleanup activities.

"This award continues the successful expansion of our Field Services business," Barbara Trenary, President of American Ecology's Nuclear Division commented. "We are particularly pleased to serve the State of Tennessee on this important environmental remediation effort," Trenary added.

American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides radioactive, PCB, hazardous and solid waste services to commercial and government customers throughout the United States, such as nuclear power plants, medical and academic institutions, agricultural companies, steel mills 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 certain forward-looking information and statements. Actual results and future contract awards may differ materially from what is expressed in these forward-looking statements and there can be no assurance given that the Company will secure additional field services contracts. For additional information, please refer to American Ecology Corporation's most recent quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


July 9, 2001
Contact: Stephen Romano 208.331.8400
info@americanecology.com


AMERICAN ECOLOGY COMPLETES STOCK TRANSACTION

Transaction Reduces Large Number of Odd-Lot Shareholders
BOISE, Idaho - Jim Baumgardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ: ECOL], today announced that the Company had completed a 100 for 1 reverse stock split that was immediately followed by a 1 for 100 forward stock split. "The purpose of the transaction was to reduce the number of American Ecology shareholders of record holding less than 100 shares of the company's stock on June 29, 2001," Baumgardner stated, adding "This transaction will reduce costs associated with shareholder communications and other services by reducing the total number of shareholders holding the company's stock."

On March 27, 2001 the company issued a definitive proxy statement requesting that shareholders vote in favor of the reverse and forward stock split proposal. At the May 24th, 2001, annual shareholders meeting 12,798,986 votes were cast in favor of the proposal, 71,293 against, and 49,399 abstained.

Consistent with the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ National Market, the company's stock symbol, "ECOL," has been temporarily denoted for twenty days of market trading with a suffix "D". The company's symbol will return to the standard "ECOL" by July 31, 2001.

"It is important that the investing public understand that this is an administrative housekeeping matter and was not financially-motivated," Baumgardner stated, concluding "the transaction has no substantive impact on registered shareholders with more than 100 shares of stock."

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, steel mills 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 may contain 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 and expected savings may differ materially from what is expressed herein. For information regarding the reverse and forward stock split and on factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to American Ecology Corporation's Annual Proxy Statement and Reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


July 30, 2001
Contact: Jim Baumgardner 208.331.8400
info@americanecology.com

AMERICAN ECOLOGY POSTS 34% REVENUE INCREASE YEAR TO DATE

Seventh Consecutive Profitable Quarter
BOISE, Idaho - Jim Baumgardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ: ECOL], today announced that for the six months ending June 30, 2001, consolidated revenue increased 34%, reaching $26.6 million compared to revenue of $19.8 million for the same period last year. Net income for the six months dipped to $1.8 million from the $2.1 million generated during the same six months last year, resulting in basic earning per share of $.12 per share compared to $.14 for the same six months last year.

For the 3 months ending June 30, 2001, revenue reached $13.7 million or a 31% increase over the second quarter of 2000. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 was $326,000 compared to net income of $764,000 for the same period in 2000. Basic earnings per share declined to $.02, from $.05 for the same period last year. Operating losses incurred by the company's Oak Ridge facility during the first six months of the year were responsible for the decline in earnings.

"The quarterly and year-to-date revenue growth reflects the strength of our core disposal business and the continued contribution from the Grand View, Idaho hazardous disposal facility acquired in February 2001," Baumgardner stated.

Also contributing significantly to the second quarter financial results were the company's low-level radioactive waste repository in Richland, Washington and the Beatty, Nevada hazardous waste disposal facility.

"We are particularly pleased with the Beatty results," Baumgardner noted, explaining "the company's successful marketing of thermal treatment and recovery technology boosted Beatty earnings in the quarter just ended."

In Texas, the company's El Centro municipal solid waste landfill posted another record quarter. However, changing market conditions in the south Texas solid waste disposal market could negatively impact future revenue and earnings.

While the company's radioactive waste processing operation at Oak Ridge, Tennessee eliminated a longstanding backlog of aged waste during the quarter, the significant commitment of resources applied to this effort and related operational inefficiencies resulted in a net operating loss for the facility in the first and second quarters.

"With the aged waste removed, a significant impediment to Oak Ridge profitability has been eliminated," Baumgardner stated, adding "We are cautiously optimistic that Oak Ridge's financial performance will improve in the second half of year. The improved Oak Ridge outlook, combined with newly implemented cost controls and continued thermal treatment marketing at Beatty, is expected to generate improved earnings the remainder of the year."

The Company will hold its quarterly investor conference call on Monday, July 30, 2001 at 10:00 am MDT. Interested parties are invited to submit questions in advance to info@americanecology.com, or by facsimile to 208.331.7900. To join the call, investors and other interested parties may dial 1.877.679.9055.

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, steel mills 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 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, overcome its operating difficulties at its Oak Ridge facility, 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 on Form 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) ($ in 000's except per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2001
2000
2001
2000
Revenues
$ 13,731
$ 10,485
$ 26,597
$ 19,804
Operating costs
8,341
5,898
15,074
10,773
 
Gross profit
5,390
4,587
11,523
9,031
Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,568
4,128
10,371
7,444
 
Income (loss) from operations
(178)
459
1,152
1,587
Investment income
34
125
208
237
Gain on sale of assets
66
--
112
1
Interest Expense
(346)
(60)
(604)
(108)
Other income (loss)
788
199
1,024
489
 
Net income before income taxes
364
723
1,892
2,206
Income tax expense (benefit)
38
(41)
84
61
 
Net income
326
764
1,808
2,145
Preferred stock dividends
99
99
196
199
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$ 227
$ 665
$ 1,612
$ 1,946
 
Basic earnings per share
$ .02
$ .05
$ .12
$ .14
 
Diluted earnings per share
$ .01
$ .04
$ .09
$ .12
 
Dividends paid per common share
$ --
$ --
$ --
$ --