RALEIGH -- As North Carolina senators look more closely at how to balance the growing demand for green energy with environmental protection, development and tourism, news14.com readers say they do not support legislation that would ban the construction of windmills in some of the state’s tourism hot spots.

A majority of 72 percent say they would not support such a ban, arguing that wind energy is not only too great a resource to ignore, but that the structures are not such an eyesore that they should be a tourism concern.

“If windmills will work and reduce our dependence on foreign oil then build them where ever they will work best,” said one reader in Tuesday’s news14.com poll.

The legislation being discussed by lawmakers would require a permit be needed to build wind turbines if they would have a negative effect on navigation, wildlife or the views from any state or national park.

“We should not shoot ourselves in the foot by banning windmills in the most effective locations, i.e. at the beach and in the mountains, where the wind is most plentiful,” said news14.com poll voter Geoff. Beach and mountain locations are some of the sights such a bill might help to protect.

However, 21 percent said they would like to see the ban.

“We got to do something about this on going problem that will get worst,” said news14.com poll voter Concern Citizen. “I don't want to have a home in the mountain and look out my windows and see these ugly things. Just like people don't want to look out there windows at the beach and see oil wells, who would?”

Meanwhile, some poll voters expressed concern that windmills, like other environmentally-friendly projects, simply aren’t necessary.

“For what?” asked news14.com poll voter Citizen Soldier of the ban and windmills in general. “This whole "going green" is nothing more than another move to dictate individuals lives, liberty and procure more of their money.”