TORONTO - Seeing a neighbour's underwear billowing in the wind may be unsightly but a growing number of environmentalists are calling on the province to lift the ban on clotheslines.

The Liberals passed a law shortly after their election in 2003 that would override local bans on clotheslines imposed by municipalities and residential associations.

But the Liberals never formally enacted the regulation so it's still against the law in some places to hang your clean laundry out to dry.

Premier Dalton McGuinty wouldn't say what the hold up is but says people should just "hang in there.''

Keith Stewart, with World Wildlife Fund, says clean laundry doesn't pose a threat to the morals of youth and it's beyond silly that the province isn't making it easier for people to save energy.

During a hot summer when people are often urged to conserve energy, Stewart says people should be allowed to harness free solar and wind energy by hanging their clothes out to dry.