Daylight Savings Changes and Energy

There's been a lot of discussion this week about the possible Y2K-esque implications of this weekend's early start to daylight saving time- about four weeks earlier than it's been in previous years.

What's gotten less ink this week is the reason for the change. It's for the environment!

According to NPR:

Thanks to passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Daylight Saving Time will begin one month earlier in 2007 and will continue for an extra week. It's part of a phased move designed to conserve electricity and save an estimated 300,000 barrels of oil a year.

I've been happy the last few weeks as my 6:15 wake up call has produced a lighter and lighter sky so I'll be disappointed to have my early mornings next week return to darkness (and make it harder for me to get up!) But I guess it's for a good cause.