A Call to Year-Round Daylight Saving Time in Pennsylvania

People have different opinions regarding Daylight Saving Time. Some are in favor, while others think it doesn't serve its purpose anymore. The debate whether to continue following the yearly tradition is still on in some states, while others are pushing a bill to make it permanent. This way, residents don't need to switch their clocks twice a year. But what is it with Daylight Saving Time that people don't like? What happens to the so-called energy conservation that it provides?

The sun will rise at 7:25 a.m. on December 21 in Pennsylvania. It is the first day of winter in the state. This will happen if residents still need to switch from Eastern Daylight Time to Eastern Standard Time. Suppose the Legislature decides not to "fall back," it only means Daylight Saving Time will be year-round. As a result, the sun will poke above the horizon at 8:25 a.m. on December 21. Not only that, the sun will set at 5;26 pm instead of 4:26 p.m.

Having additional daylight hours is one reason why Pennsylvania is one of the states that pushes Congress to make DST permanent. Aside from removing the hassle of clock changing, people will also enjoy daylight in the afternoon, especially those who haven't received sunlight because of work and school.

Pennsylvania is one of 16 states that still have pending legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Lehigh County, which has recently passed the state House, 103-98. For the residents, eliminating the yearly practice would not alter the amount of daylight each day, but it would change how they experience it.