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Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday. These States Would Like To Make It Permanent.

Daylight Saving Time Ends This Week. Some States Want to Make It Permanent.

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Sunday, November 6, 2022, marks the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States. At 2:00 AM local time, clocks will fall back one hour, returning to standard time.

The biannual practice of changing clocks by one hour has been observed in the U.S. since the passage of the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The primary purpose of DST is to save energy by utilizing natural daylight during the longer summer months.

States Proposing Permanent DST

In recent years, there has been growing support for making DST permanent, eliminating the need for biannual clock changes. Several states have introduced legislation or resolutions to adopt year-round DST:

Arizona

Arizona has not observed DST since 1967. They would like to remain on Mountain Standard Time all year.

California

In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 7, which would have made DST permanent. However, the proposition was struck down by a federal court in 2021.

Florida

The Florida legislature passed a bill in 2022 to make DST permanent. However, the bill was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Georgia

In 2021, Georgia passed a bill to make DST permanent. However, the bill was later repealed.

Other States Considering Permanent DST

Other states considering permanent DST include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Arguments for Permanent DST

Advocates of permanent DST cite several benefits, including:

• Reduced energy consumption: By utilizing natural daylight during the evenings, permanent DST could further reduce energy consumption.
• Improved sleep patterns: Eliminating the abrupt time change could improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of sleep deprivation.
• Enhanced outdoor recreation: With more daylight hours in the evenings, people would have more time for outdoor activities.
• Reduced traffic accidents: Some studies suggest that permanent DST could reduce traffic accidents related to poor visibility.

Arguments Against Permanent DST

Opponents of permanent DST raise concerns, such as:

• Disrupted morning routines: With permanent DST, the sun would rise later in the mornings, potentially disrupting school and work schedules.
• Increased risk of heart attacks: Some studies suggest that the sudden time change associated with DST may increase the risk of heart attacks.
• Negative impact on agriculture: Permanent DST could disrupt the natural rhythms of plants and animals, potentially affecting agricultural production.
• Reduced melatonin production: Permanent DST would reduce exposure to natural light in the mornings, which could suppress melatonin production and disrupt circadian rhythms.

Conclusion

The debate over permanent DST is ongoing, with both proponents and opponents presenting valid arguments. As several states consider adopting year-round DST, it remains to be seen whether the practice will become permanent in the United States.