American Ecology Corp. is increasing the companys quarter dividend by 20 percent from 15 cents to 18 cents per common share.

'Management and the board of directors are confident that American Ecology can continue to deliver strong earnings growth,' said Stephen A. Romano, CEO at the Boise, Idaho-based waste management company. The next quarterly dividend is expected to be declared and paid in July, the company said.

American Ecology provides radioactive, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services.

'Our free cash flow is more than sufficient to fund this increased quarterly dividend in 2008 while also funding all currently planned capital projects and growth initiatives,' Romano said.

Contact Waste News senior reporter Jim Johnson at (937) 964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com