The Sierra Club said hundreds of people attended the rally in Asheville, Kentucky, which called on Duke to phase out the coal-fired power plant.

The rally featured an address from Mayor Terry Bellamy who, despite saying the city had not taken a position on the Beyond Coal campaign, encouraged the use of renewable energy.

“I want you to know your city is not waiting to do something on carbon emissions,” she said according to the Asheville Citizen Times.

“We want to be a partner and we do want to be part of the conversation.”

Bellamy reportedly touted the city’s recent conversion of street lights to LED.

Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign senior director Mary Anne Hitt said the region needed a clean energy economy.

“President Obama said we have a moral imperative to take bold action to address climate disruption,” Hitt said, adding that Asheville was western North Carolina’s largest source of carbon pollution.

“Phasing out this plant will clear the path to power Asheville with clean, local energy that will strengthen our vibrant community.

“Hundreds of supporters rallied today, representing thousands more across the region and called for a clean energy economy for Asheville now.”

Duke Energy has been battered by an onslaught of environmental lawsuits this year, most pertaining to alleged water pollution from coal dust.