Lawmaker is co-author of law that extends DST, saves money, increases hours of evening sunshine

Washington (March 11, 2016) –Whether your clock automatically jumps ahead one hour this weekend, or you have to remember to do so first thing when you wake up, Daylight Saving Time heralds the coming of spring and will provide longer hours of daylight. It also helps consumers cut back on peak-hour electricity usage, which results in reducing energy consumption and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the 2005 energy bill, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) amended the Uniform Time Act of 1996, extending the duration of DST in the spring by changing its start date from the first Sunday in April to the second Sunday in March, and in the fall by changing its end date from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November. In 1985, then-Rep. Markey also partnered with Rep. Carlos Moorhead (R-Calif.) to extend DST by three weeks.

Senator Markey released the following statement:

“The extra hours of sunshine from Daylight Saving Time brings a smile to everybody’s faces. In addition to the benefit of putting a spring in our step, government analysis has shown that the extra hours of sunshine from Daylight Saving Time saves consumers money and also curbs the nation’s energy consumption. The result is reduced energy bills, less pollution, and more reasons to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.”  

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