GOLDSBORO, N.C. -- Former Vice President Al Gore stopped in Goldsboro this weekend to talk about environmental justice.

  • He and Rev. Dr. William Barber emphasized the importance of protecting the environment
  • They criticized Duke Energy for its collection of coal ash basins across NC
  • Neighbors to the basins also spoke out about the problem

Gore joined Poor People's Campaign leader and former NC NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber at the pulpit of his church. The two both emphasized the importance of protecting the environment.

"The environmental justice movement awakens us," said Gore. "We have a responsibility to keep our eyes open, to look when the signal comes, to be aware and to act and take action against the injustice that we see."

In particular, the two criticized Duke Energy for its collection of coal ash basins across North Carolina.

"Pollution and destruction of our Earth is not good news," said Rev. Barber.

"Just as the pollution goes in the air, it goes into the ground," added Gore. "This coal ash is poison."

One of Duke Energy's coal ash basins is at the H.F. Lee Energy Complex, which is also in Goldsboro. Neighbors who live by the coal ash basin also came to the church to speak their mind.

"In this community and in the other communities in North Carolina where these coal ash pits are located, there are still just so many people that don't know," said Mindy Hodgin, who lives in the Rosewood community adjacent to H.F. Lee.

"When are politicians going to wake up and see that there's profit over people," added Goldsboro resident Michael Carroway. "It's got to stop."

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.