American Ecology Affirms Dividend Policy

BOISE, ID--(Marketwire - May 14, 2009) - American Ecology Corporation ("the Company") (NASDAQ: ECOL) today announced that its Board of Directors has reaffirmed the Company's dividend policy and intends to continue paying an $0.18 per share quarterly dividend over the next year. The Company's quarterly dividend was increased by 20% in May 2008.

"Management and the Board of Directors are confident that American Ecology can continue to generate strong free cash flow while funding all currently planned capital projects and organic growth initiatives," stated Stephen A. Romano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Company reported 18.1 million common shares outstanding and $24.1 million in cash on hand at March 31, 2009. Management estimates that approximately $3.3 million in cash will be paid out for each declared quarterly dividend. The next quarterly dividend is scheduled to be declared on July 1, 2009 and paid on July 24, 2009 to stockholders of record on July 17, 2009.

The Board of Directors conducted its annual dividend policy review following the Company's annual meeting of stockholders in Boise, Idaho on May 12, 2009. Dividend declarations and payments are subject to quarterly financial review and compliance with applicable bank covenants.

About American Ecology Corporation

American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides radioactive, PCB, hazardous, and non-hazardous waste transportation, treatment and disposal services to commercial and government customers throughout the United States, such as steel mills, medical and academic institutions, petro-chemical facilities and the nuclear power industry. 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 as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions about the industry and markets in which American Ecology Corporation and its subsidiaries operate. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed herein and no assurance can be given that the Company will meet its 2009 earnings estimates, successfully execute its growth strategy, or declare or pay future dividends. For information on other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, please refer to American Ecology Corporation's December 31, 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking information include a loss of a major customer, compliance with and changes to applicable laws and regulations, access to cost effective transportation services, access to insurance and other financial assurances, loss of key personnel, lawsuits, adverse economic conditions, government funding or competitive pressures, incidents that could limit or suspend specific operations, implementation of new technologies, our ability to perform under required contracts, our willingness or ability to pay dividends and our ability to integrate any potential acquisitions.

Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of American Ecology Corporation.

Contact Information: Contact: Alison Ziegler Cameron Associates (212) 554-5469 alison@cameronassoc.com www.americanecology.com