Cement plant to contain controversial dust pile

Dragon Products cement company plans to cap its 17-acre dust pile in midcoast Maine that has been the focus of lawsuits that have been filed by neighbors against the cement manufacturer.

Terry Veysey, Dragon’s chief executive officer, said the company has been working with the state Department of Environmental Protection on ways to contain the 845,000-ton mound of dust.

He says a formal plan was filed a few weeks ago with the department, but still has to go through a review process for approval.

In March, people who live near the 123-acre Dragon Products plant on the Rockland-Thomaston town line sued the company in federal court, alleging that dust from the operation was harming their health.