American Ecology Unit Wins Contract Extensions From Two Southeastern Utilities for Specialized Material Services.

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999--

American Ecology Corp.'s (Nasdaq:ECOL) US Ecology unit has been awarded contract extensions from two nuclear power utilities to perform material surveying and processing work on low-level radioactive waste streams from generating stations in four southeastern states.

The work will be performed by US Ecology's Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based Nuclear Materials Management Center for Georgia Power Company and Alabama Power Company -- units of Southern Nuclear Operating Company -- and Carolina Power and Light Company. The contract additions for the Southern Nuclear units extend to the end of 2001. The Carolina Power and Light agreement extends into 2000 with options for additional work.

"These extensions and repeat business show the confidence our public utility customers have in the unique services provided by our Oak Ridge team," said Joe Nagel, president and chief operating officer of American Ecology.

The Nuclear Materials Management Center at Oak Ridge originated the "STEPS" (Sequential Technology and Economy Processing Service) material processing program to provide customers with the lowest cost disposal solution for the specific material being surveyed.

"These processes are being recognized by utility companies as the most cost-effective way to meet disposal requirements," Nagel said.

In addition, the work for the units of Southern Nuclear involves utilizing US Ecology's new disposal program for oils and other fluids used in power generation.

American Ecology provides processing, packaging, transportation, remediation and disposal services for generators of hazardous waste and low-level nuclear waste at licensed facilities throughout the United States. The company has been in business since 1952.