American Ecology Announces Promotions and New Environmental Health and Safety Director.

Business Editors

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2003

Stephen Romano, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Ecology Corporation (Nasdaq:ECOL), today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has promoted National Sales Director Steve Welling to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and also named Chief Information Officer John Cooper a Vice President. Both are now officers of the company. Romano also announced the appointment of Richard O'Hara as Corporate Environmental Health and Safety Director.

"The appointment of Steve Welling and John Cooper as officers affirms our Board's confidence that American Ecology has the right management team in place to build shareholder value," Romano stated, adding, "Steve Welling has successfully led the Company's sales and marketing efforts since 2002, building American Ecology market share during a slow economy in a highly competitive environment. John Cooper guided major company initiatives to redesign and centralize our accounting and production information systems and networking capabilities that serve all of our operations, delivering substantial business efficiencies."

Richard O'Hara joins American Ecology as Corporate Environmental Health and Safety Director reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. O'Hara is responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance and safety programs at American Ecology's four operating disposal facilities and manages the company's closed hazardous waste facilities. O'Hara has over 20 years experience in environmental compliance, hazardous waste management and remediation. He previously held positions responsible for environmental compliance and remedial projects with Waste Management Inc., and served as Director of the State of Wisconsin's hazardous waste program. "Richard O'Hara brings a wealth of practical regulatory experience to the American Ecology team, further strengthening our commitment to safety and environmental compliance," Romano concluded.

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, steel mills, medical and academic institutions and petro-chemical facilities. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, American Ecology 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 realize further business efficiencies, 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 on Form 10-K, and most recent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.