An Extra Month of Daylight Next Year

When Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 he gave kids and people who work a typical 9 to 5 schedule here in the U.S. 2 extra weeks of daylight on either end of Daylight Saving Time. Starting in 2007 DST will begin on the second Sunday of March and end the first Sunday of November.

So, mark the calendar. March 11, 2007 spring forward. November 4, 2007 fall back.

This juggling of the American circadian rhythm is supposed to curb energy spending by about 1%, or the "equivalent to roughly a hundred thousand barrels of oil daily over the two months" according to a Department of Transportation report from 1975. Linda Lawson, the acting deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy, gives this caveat

"There have been dramatic changes in lifestyle and commerce since we completed our studies that raise serious questions about extrapolating conclusions from our studies into today's world."

Whether the U.S. saves some money, or just really annoys everyone in the country remains to be seen. However, Congress has the discretion to scrap the idea and go back to the typical DST schedule if the savings don't add up.