American Ecology Announces Integrated National Sales Organization; New Structure To Better Market Diverse Service Offerings at Multiple Sites.

Business Editors

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2001

Steve Romano, president and chief operating officer of American Ecology Corporation (Nasdaq:ECOL), today announced the formation of an integrated national sales organization to grow the Company's hazardous and low-level radioactive waste disposal business, and the appointment of Steve Welling as National Sales and Marketing Director.

"An integrated national sales and marketing organization better positions American Ecology to aggressively market its unique mix of hazardous and low-level radioactive waste disposal services," Romano stated.

Welling, promoted from within, takes charge of sales and marketing for the Company's three RCRA hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities (located near Corpus Christi, Texas; Beatty, Nevada and Grand View, Idaho) and the Company's low-level radioactive waste disposal site near Richland, Washington. The Company's Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based low-level radioactive waste processing business and the El Centro, Texas municipal solid waste landfill will continue to maintain facility-specific sales teams.

"Steve Welling brings 20 years of experience and a proven record of accomplishment in the marketplace," Romano added, concluding, "Our restructured sales organization will better execute American Ecology's strategy of growing revenue and earnings by focusing on its core waste treatment and disposal business."

Welling previously served as National Accounts Manager for Envirosource Technologies and Western Sales Manager for Envirosafe Services of Idaho. The latter company was purchased by American Ecology in February 2001 and renamed US Ecology Idaho, Inc. Prior to joining the recently acquired subsidiary, Welling managed new market development and sales for a national bulk chemical transportation company.

American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides 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. 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 or generate improved earnings. 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 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.