<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(x) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1996
OR
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from____________________to____________________
Commission File Number 0-11688
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 95-3889638
-------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
805 W. Idaho
Suite #200
Boise, Idaho 83702-8916
------------ ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
</TABLE>
(208) 331-8400
--------------
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by a check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES /X/ NO / /
At September 30, 1996 Registrant had outstanding 7,967,864 shares of its
Common Stock.
<PAGE> 2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
($ in 000's)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 168 $ 229
Investment securities 1,739 523
Receivables - trade and other, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $1,293 and $1,322 respectively 11,746 16,938
Income tax receivable 740 5,339
Insurance claim receivable 727 2,538
Prepayments and other 1,282 1,675
----- -----
Total current assets 16,402 27,242
Cash and investment securities, pledged 13,651 13,770
Property and equipment, net 19,403 21,764
Deferred site development costs 44,425 43,115
Capitalized interest 6,862 4,249
Intangible assets relating to acquired businesses, net 468 486
Other assets 4,457 3,499
----- -----
Total assets $ 105,668 $ 114,125
=============== ==============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Revolving credit loan/Demand Promissory Note $ 5,370 $ 6,416
Current portion of long term debt 704 780
Accounts payable 8,060 13,376
Accrued liabilities 20,618 21,022
Deferred site maintenance, current portion 1,807 1,763
Income taxes payable 158 --
------ -------
Total current liabilities 36,716 43,357
Long term debt, excluding current portion 28,600 28,357
Deferred site maintenance, excluding current portion 19,714 20,387
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Shareholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value,
1,000,000 shares authorized $ -- $ --
8 3/8% series D cumulative convertible preferred stock,
$.01 par value, 105,264 shares authorized, issued and
outstanding, (liquidation preference of $47.50 per share) 1 1
Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized,
7,967,864 and 7,825,628 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 80 78
Additional paid-in capital 46,971 46,762
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale 20 (718)
Retained earnings (deficit) (26,434) (24,099)
-------- -------
Total shareholders' equity 20,638 22,024
------ ------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 105,668 $ 114,125
================ ==============
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
2
<PAGE> 3
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
($ in 000's except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
------------------------ -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 13,315 $ 14,881 $ 39,503 $ 51,013
Operating Costs 10,568 14,045 34,893 51,718
------ ------ ------ ------
Gross profit (loss) 2,747 836 4,610 (705)
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,838 3,369 9,258 13,213
Impairment losses on long-lived assets -- -- -- 27,153
------ ------ ------ ------
Loss from operations (91) (2,533) (4,648) (41,071)
Investment (income) loss (248) (54) (275) (386)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets (42) -- 118 --
Other (income) expense (261) -- (375) --
(Gain) loss - security sales -- -- (350) --
------ ------ ----- ------
Income (loss) before income taxes 460 (2,479) (3,530) (40,685)
Income tax expense (benefit) 75 (247) (1,270) (4,068)
------ ----- ------- -------
Net income (loss) 385 (2,232) (2,260) (36,617)
Preferred stock dividends 105 -- 314 --
--- ------ --- ------
Net income (loss) available to common
shareholders $ 280 $ (2,232) $ (2,574) $ (36,617)
============= ============= ============= =============
Net earnings (loss) per share, primary $ .04 $ (.29) $ (.32) $ (4.68)
============= ============= ============= =============
Dividends paid per common share $ -- $ -- $ -- $ .25
============= ============= ============= =============
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
<PAGE> 4
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
($ in 000's)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended September 30,
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (2,260) $ (36,617)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Impairment losses on long-lived assets -- 27,153
Depreciation and amortization 3,752 6,001
Deferred income tax provision 158 393
Gain on sale of assets (118) (493)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables 5,018 12,993
Income tax refund 4,519 --
Proceeds from insurance claim 1,811 --
Investment securities classified as trading -- (727)
Other assets (1,250) (1,869)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (5,017) (3,064)
Deferred site maintenance (629) (1,153)
----- -------
Total adjustments 8,244 39,234
----- ------
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,984 2,617
----- -----
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (1,121) (2,450)
Site development costs, including capitalized interest (3,923) (4,421)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 158 966
Proceeds from sales (acquisition) of investment (399) 214
securities
Transfers from cash and investment securities, pledged 119 640
--- ---
Net cash used in investing activities (5,166) (5,051)
------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuances of indebtedness 23,739 23,635
Repayments of indebtedness (24,618) (22,868)
Proceeds from common stock issuances -- 20
Proceeds from preferred stock issuances -- 3,322
Payment of cash dividends -- (195)
---- -----
Net cash provided by financing activities (879) (3,914)
----- -------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents (61) 1,480
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 229 231
--- ---
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 168 $ 1,711
============= ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ -- $ --
Income taxes -- 97
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
<PAGE> 5
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by the
Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures
necessary to a fair presentation of these financial statements have been
included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 1995 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1995, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain reclassifications have been made in prior period financial statements
to conform to the current period presentation.
NOTE 2. LONG-TERM DEBT.
On June 30, 1995, the Company refinanced its prior bank debt under the terms of
a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement"). The
secured bank credit facility matures on December 31, 1998 and is comprised of a
$27,000,000 term loan ("Term Loan"), an $8,000,000 revolving credit loan
("Revolver"), and a $5,000,000 standby letter of credit facility. Accelerated
Term Loan principal repayments are due upon occurrence of certain contingent
events, including the opening of the Ward Valley Facility and sales of assets.
Upon closing of the Credit Agreement on June 30, 1995, the lender bank agreed
to accept a note, known as the Fee Capitalization Note, from the Company to
capitalize the fees associated with the Credit Agreement. The note, which
provides for borrowings up to $4,000,000, includes an initial amount of
$1,000,000 representing the fees (including previously deferred fees) to
compensate the bank for the restructured commitment. The Fee Capitalization
Note matures on December 31, 1998 and is entitled to the benefits and subject
to the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The bank has the option of
requiring payment of the Fee Capitalization Note with shares of the Company's
common stock.
On June 26, 1996, the Company agreed with its bank that the Company's borrowing
privileges under the credit Agreement were suspended. As a result, the Company
was unable to access funds available under the Revolver. On July 2, 1996, a
new procedure was implemented such that the Revolver was replaced by a Demand
Promissory Note against which advances/demands by the Company would be made up
to a maximum of $5,400,000. [As the bank receives the Company's trade accounts
receivable funds the Revolver is paid down and the same amount is advanced to
the Company and applied to the Demand Promissory Note.] At the same time, the
bank extended to the Company a line of credit up to a maximum of $1,000,000
with an 8.25% interest rate. Under these terms, all principal and interest due
by the Company under the Credit Agreement is suspended indefinitely.
As of September 30, 1996, the Company had total outstanding borrowings of
$33,701,281 comprised of $26,731,027 under its Term Loan; $5,370,215 under its
Demand Promissory Note; $1,600,039 under its fee Capitalization Note; and $0
under its line of credit. Accrued, unpaid interest through September 30, 1996
amounted to $1,022,180.
NOTE 2a. SUBSEQUENT EVENT - LONG-TERM DEBT.
On October 31, 1996, the Company signed a letter of intent with its bank,
whereby, the terms and conditions of the debt agreement will be substantially
modified. Information regarding the terms is set forth in Part II, Item 5.
NOTE 3. DEFERRED SITE DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
The Company has been selected to locate, develop and operate the low-level
radioactive waste ("LLRW") facilities for the Southwestern Compact in
California ("Ward Valley facility") and the Central Interstate
Compact in Nebraska ("Butte facility"). The license application for the
Southwestern Compact was approved by the California Department of Health
Services ("DHS") in September 1993. All costs related to the development of
the Ward
5
<PAGE> 6
Valley facility have been paid and capitalized by the Company. As of September
30, 1996, the Company had deferred $44,254,000 of pre-operational facility
development costs of which $5,921,000 was capitalized interest. These deferred
costs relating to the development of the Ward Valley facility are expected to be
recovered during the facility's 20 year operating period from future waste
disposal revenues based upon disposal fees approved by the DHS in accordance
with existing state rate-base regulations. The disposal fee approval process is
expected to include an independent prudency review of all the pre-operational
costs incurred by the Company prior to their inclusion in the rate-base. The
Company expects all of the costs that it has deferred for this facility, plus
additional, unrecognized project interest costs to be included as a component of
the rate-base; however, there can be no assurance that any or all of the costs
will be recovered.
Allowable costs incurred by the Company for the development of the Butte
facility are reimbursed under a contract with the Central Interstate LLRW
Compact Commission ("CIC") and are recognized as revenues. Substantially all
funding to develop the Butte facility is being provided by the major generators
of the waste in the CIC. As of September 30, 1996, the Company has contributed
and deferred approximately $7,033,000 of which $941,000 was capitalized
interest, toward the development of the Butte facility and no additional
capital investment is expected to be required from the Company prior to
granting of the license. The Company expects all of the costs which it has
deferred for this facility plus additional, unrecognized project interest costs
to be included as a component of the rate-base; however, there can be no
assurance that any or all of these costs will be recovered.
The construction and operation of the Ward Valley and Butte facilities are
currently being delayed by various political and environmental opposition
toward the development of the sites and by various legal proceedings. At this
time, it is not possible to assess the length of these delays, when, or if, the
Butte facility license will be granted, and when, or if, the land for the Ward
Valley facility will be obtained by the State of California. Although the
timing and outcome of the matters referred to above are not presently
determinable, the Company continues to actively urge the conveyance of the land
from the federal government to the State of California so that construction may
begin, and to actively pursue licensing of the Butte facility. The Company
believes that the Butte facility license will be granted, operations of both
facilities will commence and that the deferred site development costs for both
facilities will be realized.
In the event the Butte facility license is not granted, operations of either
facility do not commence or the Company is unable to recoup its investments
through legal recourse, the Company would suffer losses that would have a
material adverse effect on its financial position and results of operations.
In 1994, the Company began to capitalize interest in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 34, Capitalization of Interest Cost, on
the site development projects while the facilities being developed are
undergoing activities to ready them for their intended use. Interest
capitalized during the nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 was
$2,613,000 and $2,391,000, respectively.
6
<PAGE> 7
NOTE 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE.
The calculation of earnings per share for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000'S EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------- -------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders $ 280 $ (2,232) $ (2,854) $ (36,617)
============ ============ ============ ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Common shares outstanding at end of period 7,857 7,826 7,968 7,826
Effect of using weighted average common and
common equivalent shares outstanding -- (4) -- (4)
---- ---- ----- ----
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share 7,857 7,822 7,968 7,822
===== ===== ===== =====
Net earnings (loss) per common and common
equivalent share, primary $ .04 $ (.29) $ (.32) $ (4.68)
============ =========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
There was no difference between the primary and fully diluted earnings per
share calculations in 1996 and 1995.
NOTE 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.
Other than the information set forth in Part II, Item 1 and Item 5, herein,
there have been no other significant changes to any commitments and
contingencies as described in Note 13 to the financial statements included in
the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A.
NOTE 6. PREFERRED STOCK AGREEMENT.
On October 31, 1996 the Board of Directors approved issuance of preferred stock
to two of the Company's directors. Information regarding the terms of this new
issuance is set forth in Part II, Item 5.
7
<PAGE> 8
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The Company had a working capital deficit of $20,314,000 as of September 30,
1996, and is currently experiencing difficulty paying its on-going obligations
as they become due. The Company has been successful in improving some of its
short-term operating results which may help relieve this situation. The
Company cannot be certain about its ability to further improve short-term
operating results. The Company's financial statements as of September 30,
1996, contain an adjustment for the amount of accrued liabilities that might
result from future operations impact. This adjustment is directly related to
the Winona facility. Management's actions and plans to address these issues
are as follows:
CREDIT AGREEMENT
As of September 30, 1996, the company had total outstanding borrowings of
$33,701,281 comprised of $26,731,027 under its Term Loan; $5,370,215 under its
Demand Promissory Note; $1,600,039 under its fee Capitalization Note; and $0
under its line of credit. Accrued, unpaid interest through September 30, 1996
amounted to $1,022,180.
As described in Note 2 to the financial information, in July 1996 the Company
made arrangements with its bank to suspend all principal and interest payments
due by the Company under the Credit Agreement indefinitely. Additionally, the
Company and its bank implemented a new operating procedure whereby the
Company's accounts receivable collections were applied to a new note which is
treated similar to a revolving line of credit.
On October 31, 1996 the Company signed a letter of intent for the renegotiated
terms of its secured debt with its bank. The new terms are more particularly
described in Item 5 hereof.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS AND REDUCE COSTS
On August 16, 1996, American Ecology issued a press release announcing it had
suspended scheduling further receipts of waste for recycling or disposal into
the Winona processing facility. The Company stated that it would continue
processing the inventory of waste on site and maintain compliance with all
Federal and State environmental requirements.
The Winona Processing facility is one of the most technologically advanced
facilities of its type in the Country, however, the ongoing litigation strategy
pursued by opponents of the facility has so affected the customer base and so
distracted management resources that the Company decided to suspend operations
to explore various options to reorganize or revise the operation to meet
business objectives. The Company's opinion is that the tactics employed by
those adverse to the Winona operation are designed to overwhelm the facilities
resources. Multiple, duplicative lawsuits that name our customers have been
filed in various jurisdictions. Rather than fall prey to such tactics, the
Company has resolved to determine an effective strategy that will preserve its
options and minimize additional losses.
The Company sought a stay in the repermitting hearings for the Winona facility
to afford it the opportunity to decide if, or how, it might be able to operate
the facility in light of the tactics being employed by the opposition. The
Company's management and staff are reviewing various alternative arrangements
that might salvage its significant investment of capital and human resources.
(See discussion in Part II, Item I, Legal Proceedings).
On August 19, 1996, American Ecology requested that the Administrative Law
Judge (ALJ), presiding over the Company's permit renewal hearing, grant a stay
in the matter to allow the Company time to determine how it is to proceed. On
September 28, 1996, the ALJ granted a 60 day stay in the permit hearing. The
Company is to inform the participants of its intentions on December 2, 1996 and
attend a hearing on December 5, 1996 which will determine the basis on which
the Company could proceed.
The company has laid off over half of its remaining Winona site employees to
reduce costs and continues to reduce its inventory of waste. Site monitoring,
groundwater remediation and tank control systems remain operational and
8
<PAGE> 9
in compliance with permit requirements. Since receiving the last load of waste
scheduled prior to August 16, 1996, no additional waste has been accepted at the
facility.
The permits under which the Winona facility operates are expired. EPA
regulations allow that if the permit holder has made timely application to
renew them, and is diligently pursuing their renewal, then the holder can
continue operating under the expired permits until the application is acted on.
Prior to the Company's acquisition of the Winona facility, the Texas agency
decided to consolidate all of the site's permit renewals in a single
administrative proceeding. It is this consolidated hearing in which the
Company is now engaged and from which it has been granted a stay. It is
incumbent on the Company to comply with the administrative orders that
consolidated the permit issues and to diligently pursue renewal. Failure to do
so may constitute abandonment of the process and result in loss of the permits.
In other areas, the Company continues its efforts to reduce costs. These
efforts include further reducing personnel, among them certain members of
senior management, and various sales, operating, and administrative personnel.
However, the Company has made considerable staff reductions and will try to
stabilize with minimum changes in the future. The Company has decentralized
responsibilities to the LLRW and chemical waste operating groups and has
transferred many of the functions formerly performed at the corporate office to
the operating divisions reducing corporate overhead. Other than the capital
required for developing the Ward Valley facility the Company has, following the
Ward Valley facility and the repair of the fire damage at our Oakridge
facility, deferred almost all other capital expenditures planned for 1996. The
Company is also evaluating the viability of certain other operations and their
current potential to perform at an acceptable level.
The Company believes it has and is implementing a viable plan to improve its
cost and capital structure and subsequent operating results. However,
considering the Company's recent losses and insufficient cash flow from
operations, there can be no assurance that this plan will resolve the Company's
liquidity problem in a timely fashion. There is no assurance, however, that the
Company's recently announced debt restructuring and commitment for additional
equity (described in Item 5 hereof) and its operational restructuring will
alleviate the Company's liquidity problems. In either event, the Company may
continue to experience cash flow problems which could cause the Company to
materially reduce the current level of its operating activities.
For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company had positive cash
flows from operations of $5,984,000, which includes $6,330,000 in tax refunds
and insurance claim proceeds. Net cash used in investing activities total
$5,166,000 of which $1,121,000 was spent for capital expenditures, $3,923,000
was invested in site development costs for the Ward Valley facility and
incurred capitalized interest of $2,613,000 related to the Ward Valley and
Butte facilities.
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
As a result of the changes to its management and operations in 1996, the
Company believes that the future operating results of its existing businesses
will improve. No assurances can be given that such improvements will occur.
The Company expects to receive additional federal income tax refunds of
approximately $740,000 during the fourth quarter of 1996.
The company is also currently negotiating business interruption insurance
claims relating to the July 1994 fire at its Oak Ridge, Tennessee facility and
expects to settle such claims in the near future. In May 1996, the Company
received fire insurance proceeds of $1,811,000 which will be used to replace
property and equipment damaged in the fire. The Company has a $727,000
receivable recorded for additional claims at September 30, 1996.
9
<PAGE> 10
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995
The Company reported net income of $280,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 1996, compared to a net loss of $2,232,000 for the three months
ended September 30, 1995. In 1996 the Company has not incurred any pretax
charge adjustments.
REVENUES
Revenues for the third quarter of 1996 decreased $1,502,000, a 10% decline,
compared to the third quarter of 1995.
Low-level radioactive waste ("LLRW") revenues increased $3,244,000. Quarterly
revenues for the Recycle Center were $2,434,000, an increase of $580,000 over
the prior year period. The 1995 period revenues were lower after the change of
ownership in September, 1994 due to a fire, processing a backlog of non-revenue
producing waste, and working to bring the facility up to industry standards for
better customer acceptance. Revenues for the Richland, Washington disposal
facility were $2,399,000 for the quarter, an increase of $1,299,000 from the
prior year period due to favorable weather conditions in the Northwest in 1996.
Chemical waste revenues declined $4,114,000. Revenues generated by the
Company's landfill operation in Beatty, Nevada, fell by $3,035,000 due
principally to diminishing activity in the off-site remediation market and
elimination of transportation services. In addition, the State of California
reduced the fees they levy on facilities under their jurisdiction. This has
caused us to lose customers at our site, in the State of Nevada, which has a
higher disposal fee structure making the Company non-competitive. Efforts are
being made with the State of Nevada for a competitive fee structure.
OPERATING COSTS
Operating costs as a percentage of revenues for the three months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995 were 79.4% and 94% respectively. Total operating
costs decreased $3,477,000 for the third quarter of 1996 as compared to the
third quarter of 1995 for a variety of reasons. Management evaluated how
operations had been managed, and determined what improvements could be made to
enhance operating efficiency and effectiveness at each site location. General
improvements have been made in the third quarter by timing of waste turnaround,
reduction of excess spending, employee awareness, reductions of excess
overtime, and reductions in both staff and labor force. Specific improvements
have been made by reducing variable operating costs. These costs include:
reducing excessive rentals, reduced engineering and consultant fees, and a
reduction in subcontracted costs.
In order to maintain the proper mix of operating costs to future revenues,
management will continue to monitor operations closely. Continuing this
analytical process is important for the future success of each site location.
All site locations have participated in the reductions of capital spending.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
For the third quarter ended September 30, 1996 selling, general and
administrative expenses ("SG&A") decreased $531,000 as compared to the third
quarter ended September 30, 1995, a 16% decrease in cost but a 23% improvement
over 1995 without non-recurring expenses. Included in SG&A for 1995 are
several non-recurring expenses which increased SG&A by $313,000.
During 1996, corporate overhead decreased by approximately $814,000 due to
reductions in corporate personnel, corporate travel, a decrease in amortization
of deferred debt issuance costs and other cost saving measures taken by the
Company over the last 12 months as described under the caption Capital
Resources and Liquidity.
INCOME TAXES
For the three months ended September 30, 1996, the Company reported an
effective income tax expense of 10% for the subsidiary American Liability and
Excess Insurance Company. At year end the income tax expense will be eliminated
through the companies' tax sharing agreement. The Company has now recorded all
realized or expected
10
<PAGE> 11
refunds for loss carrybacks, and it will be difficult to realize additional
deferred tax benefits for net operating loss carryforwards.
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
The Company reported a net loss of $2,260,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 compared to a net loss of $36,617,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995. The 1995 results included pretax charges totaling
$31,188,000 for unusual events and non-recurring adjustments of which
$27,153,000 related to impairment losses on long-lived assets.
REVENUES
Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 decreased $10,916,000, or
22% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1995.
Low-level radioactive waste ("LLRW") revenues increased $2,033,000, or 11%.
Chemical waste revenues declined $11,900,000, or 35%. Revenues at the Beatty
facility accounted for $8,471,000 of the decline due to the elimination of the
former practice of providing transportation services at cost, and reduced
disposal receipts as a result of customers lost to competing landfills which do
not have the high cost burden of the State of Nevada's fees. Management and
the staff at the Beatty site are currently engaged in efforts with the State of
Nevada for reducing some of the fees on certain types of waste disposal. The
Company has an agreement in place with the State of Nevada to pay all fees owed
for the first two quarters of 1996 by July 1, 1997.
OPERATING COSTS
Total operating costs as a percentage of revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995 were 88.3% and 101%, respectively. The 1995
operating costs included $1,112,000 in non-recurring charges, that made the
expenses higher. However, overall operating costs have been reduced by
conscientious management efforts.
Other decreases in operating costs resulted from the decline in site
development activities related to the Butte facility, decreases in
subcontracted field services and transportation costs at the Beatty facility,
and decreases in LLRW brokerage and remedial services.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995 were $9,258,000 compared to $13,213,000 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995, a 30% improvement in cost reduction over
1995. Included in SG&A for the 1995 period are several non-recurring charges
which increased SG&A by $2,723,000, or 20% of the total. These expenses
related principally to severance of certain corporate executives and other
corporate personnel, recognition of a loss for a portion of the corporate
office lease and furniture, and a writedown of deferred debt issuance costs
related to the bank credit facility which was amended effective June 30, 1995.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Investment income is comprised principally of interest income earned on various
investments in securities held-to-maturity, and dividend income and capital
gains and losses earned on the company's preferred stock portfolio classified as
trading securities. As of September 30, 1996, the Company reported an
unrealized gain of $20,000, on securities available-for-sale as a component of
shareholders' equity. The realized gains or losses on securities
available-for-sale are included as a component of investment income when
realized.
INCOME TAXES
For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company reported an effective
income tax benefit rate of 36% compared to an effective income tax benefit rate
of 10% for 1995. This tax benefit is the result of realizing in the
11
<PAGE> 12
second quarter 1996, the tax benefit from 1995. The Company has now recorded
all realized or expected refunds from loss carrybacks, and it will be difficult
to realize additional deferred tax benefits for net operating loss
carryforwards.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company's business inherently involves risks of unintended or unpermitted
discharge of materials into the environment. In the ordinary course of
conducting its business activities, the Company becomes involved in judicial
and administrative proceedings involving governmental authorities at the
federal, state and local levels (including, in certain instances, proceedings
instituted by citizens or local governmental authorities seeking to overturn
governmental action where governmental officials or agencies are named as
defendants together with the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries, or
both). In the majority of the situations where regulatory enforcement
proceedings are commenced by governmental authorities the matters involved
relate to alleged technical violations of licenses or permits pursuant to which
the company operates, or of laws or regulations to which its operations are
subject, or result from different interpretations of applicable regulations.
The Company and its subsidiaries are also parties to various other matters or
proceedings, including permit application and renewal proceedings in connection
with the Company's established operations, closure and post-closure activities
at certain of its sites, and other matters that could result in further
proceedings or litigation.
Management has established reserves as deemed necessary for legal proceedings
based on management's estimates of the outcome. It is reasonably possible that
the Company's estimates for such matters will change or may prove inadequate.
Due to the Company's financial condition, management is unable to conclude that
an unfavorable outcome with respect to previously reported legal proceedings or
those described below, will not have a material adverse effect on the
operations or financial condition of the Company.
Except as described below, there were no material developments with respect to
previously reported legal proceedings.
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATIONS OF AMERICAN ECOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
CORP., PERMIT NOS. AQ-9429, HW-50368, WDW-186, AND WDW-229 (S O A H DOCKET
###-##-####).
This matter, previously reported in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K filing, is a
contested proceeding before the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings
wherein American Ecology Environmental Services Corp. ("AEESC"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, is seeking to renew operating permits for its
hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility in Winona, Texas. On
August 19, 1996 AEESC requested a stay of the proceedings to allow the Company
time to determine how to proceed in the matter. On September 28, 1996 the
Administrative Law Judge granted a 60-day stay in the proceedings. AEESC is
required to inform the parties how it intends to proceed on December 2, 1996
and a prehearing conference is scheduled for December 5, 1996.
VIRGIE ADAMS, ET AL V. AMERICAN ECOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CORPORATION, ET
AL, CAUSE NO. 236-165224-6, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS DISTRICT COURT.
On August 30, 1996, plaintiffs amended their August 6 complaint naming over 450
additional plaintiffs and 87 defendants, including the Company, several of its
subsidiaries and customers of its Winona, Texas facility. The plaintiffs are
seeking damages, punitive damages and pre- and post-judgment interest based on
claims of negligence, negligence as a matter of law, fraudulent concealment,
assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, res ipsa
loquitner, intentional tort, and punitive damages. Plaintiffs allege the
Company "...failed to handle, treat, store, blend, inject, and otherwise
dispose of extremely hazardous and highly toxic substances in a
manner...constitut(ing)...compliance with basic health, safety and
environmental standards." The Company believes it has conducted its operations
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, that the lawsuit is without
merit and intends to vigorously defend the action.
12
<PAGE> 13
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES.
None
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
On October 31, 1996 the Company announced that it has renegotiated the terms of
its secured debt with its bank and, as part of the arrangements, has obtained
commitments for $3,000,000 in new equity from two of its directors.
The new term loans, which are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions,
extend the maturity of the Company's existing bank debt to December 31, 2000.
Interest on the debt will accrue through 1998, and thereafter, will be paid
quarterly at the rate of 10% or prime, whichever is greater. Principal
repayments will commence on December 31, 1999 with $5,000,000 due on that date
and quarterly payments of $250,000 thereafter.
In consideration of the transaction, the bank will receive warrants,
excercisable only upon maturity or the occurrence of a monetary default, to
purchase up to 10% of the Company's then outstanding shares for $1.50 per
share. The Company can eliminate these warrants by the payment on maturity of
additional interest equal to the difference between the interest accrued
through 1998 and interest for the same period at the rate of the greater of 10%
or prime. The bank agreed to eliminate the existing common stock conversion
feature with respect to the Fee Capitalization Note of the existing Credit
Agreement.
In addition to the changes in economic terms, the Company's financial covenants
were restructured to match the Company's current operating circumstances and
financial plan. The new covenants should allow the Company to operate without
requesting quarterly waivers of covenant defaults. The bank has also agreed to
allow the Company to use some of the capital freed up by its restructuring as
working capital. The terms of the bank loan prohibit dividend payments on the
Company's common stock until the bank debt is fully retired.
As a condition to the extension of these terms, the Company is required to
raise $3,000,000 in additional equity on or before December 31, 1996 and to use
its best efforts to raise an additional $2,000,000 in equity on or before June
30, 1997. In order to assure that the first equity condition will be met and
to provide the required equity immediately, Messrs. Rotchford Barker and Edward
Heil, two of the Company's directors and shareholders, have agreed to purchase
300,000 shares of new Class E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock for
$3,000,000. The new Preferred Stock will be nonvoting, have a stated value and
preference in liquidation of $10 per share, and have the right to receive
dividends, payable solely in common shares of the Company, at the rate of
11.25% per annum.
In order to meet the second equity condition and to give all common
shareholders the ability to participate in the Company's increased equity base,
the Company will use its best efforts to register on or before June 1, 1997 a
rights offering to holders of the Company's common stock. In the rights
offering, which will be made only by means of a prospectus, the Company would
offer each common shareholder, as of a record date expected to be on or about
the second business day before the registration statement for the rights
offering is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
the right to purchase for $1 one share of newly issued common stock for each
share of common stock held on such record date. The rights would expire unless
exercised within 30 days after the offer commences.
To the extent that less than $5,000,000 is raised in the rights offering, the
new Class E Preferred Stock will be converted into common stock at the rate of
10 shares of common stock for each share of Class E Preferred Stock. To the
extent that the sum of the amount raised in the rights offering plus the stated
value of any new Preferred Stock not converted into or exchanged for common
stock in the rights offering is in excess of $5,000,000, the
13
<PAGE> 14
Preferred Stock will be redeemed at its stated value of $10 per share from the
excess proceeds. If not converted or redeemed in a rights offering before June
30, 1997, each share of Class E Preferred Stock will be convertible into 10
shares of common stock anytime thereafter at the option of the holder. On
consideration for purchasing the Class E Preferred Stock, Messrs. Barker and
Heil will receive warrants to purchase an aggregate 3,000,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at $1.50 per share exercisable at any time after June 30,
1997 and prior to July 1, 2003.
A formal Credit Agreement between the Company and its bank documenting the new
loan terms and conditions has not been completed, the Company believes that
this agreement will be signed during the fourth quarter of 1996. At the time
of final execution of the agreement a Form 8-K with exhibits will be filed.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
a. Exhibits
27 Financial Data Schedule
b. Reports on Form 8-K
None
14
<PAGE> 15
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
(REGISTRANT)
Date: November 13, 1996 By: /s/ Jack K. Lemley
-------------------
Jack K. Lemley
Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 13, 1996 By: /s/ R. S. Thorn
----------------
R. S. Thorn
Vice President of Administration
Chief Accounting Officer
<PAGE> 16
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No. Description
------- -----------
27 Financial Data Schedule
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<CASH> 168
<SECURITIES> 1,728
<RECEIVABLES> 13,213
<ALLOWANCES> 1,293
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 16,402
<PP&E> 45,099
<DEPRECIATION> 25,696
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 105,668
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 36,716
<BONDS> 28,600
<COMMON> 80
0
1
<OTHER-SE> 20,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 105,668
<SALES> 13,315
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 13,315
<CGS> 10,568
<TOTAL-COSTS> 10,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,838
<LOSS-PROVISION> 385
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 460
<INCOME-TAX> 75
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 385
<EPS-PRIMARY> .04
<EPS-DILUTED> .04
</TABLE>
