thaJack.com alerted me that Congress is considering a bill to extend Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. by two months.
The proposal would start Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday in March and end it on the last Sunday in November. Currently, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 am on the first Sunday in April and ends at 2:00 am on the last Sunday in October.
[Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Fred Upton (D-MI)] cited a government study that estimated the additional energy savings at the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil a day, or about half of 1 percent of the nation’s daily oil consumption. Most of the energy saved would be in the form of electricity because lights would be used less in the early evenings, the study projected. — Chicago Sun-Times
This has fire and child safety officials concerned about children walking to school in darkness in the mornings, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has a good summary of the pros and cons of extending Daylight Saving Time. Well worth a read.
Update August 8: Today President Bush signed the Daylight Saving Time extension with changes.
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KAM
Jul 21, 2005
This is only a real concern in late fall and winter months – October thru February. How is extending DST supposed to fix this?
I would argue that DST is largely irrelevent these days. We are a 24/7 society in most parts of the US, many of our activities are not driven by daylight. Those that are, we plan for it and plan around it. As pointed out the farmers don’t care they mainly have to work whenever the sun is up no matter what time it is – and many farmers are now switching over to nighttime actitives when it is cooler (yeah, tractors have lights on them too!). Manufacturing and production runs 24/7 to keep up with consumer demand. Retail and restaurants stay open later to accomodate light night shoppers, many are switching to 18- and 24-hour days. Customer service is often available 24 hours a day via the Internet and toll-free numbers.
I not only see what the big deal is with DST today, I’m just not convinced that it is necessary and i’m certainly skeptical of any claims that it will lower our energy costs in light of our growing 24/7 society.
John Doyle (call me Jack, please)
Jul 21, 2005
Like he said, I think it’s a matter of not having to use lights in the early evening when people are at home and going about their activities.
Congress has already signed off on the bill. It’s just a matter of President Bush signing it into law.
They are saying that if he does, it could go into effect as early as this fall.
N. Mallory
Jul 21, 2005
Having moved to DownEast Coastal Maine last year, I can say that this is a big topic up here where the local government also wants to move us into the Atlantic timezone. In Maine, when it’s pitch dark at 4pm in the afternoon, it cuts into many businesses that rely on outdoors hobbyists. For example, skiers would have an extra hour to ski, hunters would have an extra hour to hunt, etc.
As someone who suffers from that seasonal disorder, I can tell you that I’m for this change simply because when I get off of work at 5pm and it’s pitch dark, I feel like it’s time for bed.
Jack Doyle
Jul 21, 2005
As long as I’m not in that bed with you… at least not while you have that big dot on your forehead… and I’m married.
Michael Hampton
Jul 21, 2005
Maine probably should be in the Atlantic time zone.
Jack Doyle
Jul 22, 2005
They probably should be in the Atlantic.
Aug 08, 2005
President signs for an extra month of Daylight Saving Time - IO ERROR