Daylight Saving Time Extended
On Monday August 8, 2005 President Bush signed into law a broad energy bill (Energy Policy Act of 2005) that extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks beginning in 2007. The provisions of the bill called for Daylight Saving Time to begin three weeks earlier on the second Sunday in March and end one week later on the first Sunday in November. Previously, Daylight Saving Time started on the first Sunday in April and ended on the last Sunday in October. The provisions took effect on March 11, 2007.
While polls indicated most people favored extending Daylight Saving Time, there were opponents who fought against the extension. The airline industry said it would cost millions of dollars to change schedules and some school systems had concerns that students would be waiting for the bus in darkness in the mornings.
There were also many proponents of extending Daylight Saving Time, including operators of golf courses, theme parks and businesses providing outdoor activities.
Extending Daylight Saving Time Proponents argued:
Energy Savings - will possibly save 100,000 barrels of oil daily. People will turn interior and exterior lights on later in the day which will save electricity. Lighting for evening sports events can be turned on one hour later.
Recreation - people will have more time to enjoy outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and theme parks.
Farming - many farmers work part time and will have an extra hour to work after they arrive home. Full time farmers may not benefit.
Extending Daylight Saving Time Opponents argued:
School Children - will possibly wait in the pitch dark for the school bus. Example, in Louisville, Kentucky sunrise will occur at 8:01 on March 11, 2007, however, Louisville schools currently begin classes at 7:40 for middle and high school.
Business - the airline industry claims it will cost millions of dollars to adjust schedules
Computers, Clocks and Gadgets - many electronic devices automatically adjust for day light saving time. Some of these devices will show incorrect times. Some computer software will have to be reprogrammed
Updates:
Canada passed legislation In 2006, which kept Canada's Daylight Saving Time pattern consistent with the United States. This helped facilitate commerce and trade between the two countries and was also seen as a possibly energy saving measure.
While Mexico did not make immediate changes to the dates of daylight saving time observance, the Congress of Mexico passed legislation in December 2009 which allowed ten border cities to start and end daylight saving time consistent with the United States as of 2010. This was approved to improve commerce and communications between those Mexico cities and the United States.
Read more about Daylight Saving Time and view the annual schedules:
United States | Canada | Mexico
