Daylight Saving Time changes stir residents

Since World War I the United States has had some system of Daylight Saving Time (DST), with the general idea of "spring forward and fall back." However, the exact times and dates to change the clocks has changed several times in many areas of the United States since the implementation of DST.\nCongress has enacted a change in DST yet again, as a part of the energy bill and efforts to save energy. The change will take place in 2007 and DST will begin now on the second Sunday in March and go through the first Sunday of Nov. The four week extension has been passed in the face of a great deal of controversy between those who feel DST should stay the same and those who feel there are advantages to extending it. \nBenjamin Franklin first came up with the concept of DST while in Paris waking up to sunlight early in the morning. He figured out how many candles and, therefore, how much money could be saved by simply waking up earlier and using natural sunlight, according to Dr. David Prerau's book "Seize the Daylight." Prerau has researched the history of DST for over 30 years, coauthored government reports to Congress and served as a consultant over the new energy bill. \nGermany was the first to adopt DST during WWI, Britain and other European countries did next, followed by the U.S. hoping to save fuel energies for the war effort. However, DST had no regulations at the time. Different zones had their own implementations caused chaos. After the war, DST in America was revoked and the nation restored to "God's time." Then, again, 40 days after Pearl Harbor DST came into affect to save energy for the war, according to Prerau's book. \nStill, no regulations were implemented on how a region would recognize DST, which cost businesses and industries huge amounts of money. At one time in Iowa, more than 23 DST start and end dates were followed by different regions. In 35 miles on a particular bus route in West Virginia travelers had to change their watches seven times over 35 miles, according to Prerau. \nThis led to the regulations of the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Policies on DST changed again with the oil embargo of 1973 and has changed twice since leading up to the most recent changes implemented by \nCongress, according to Prerau. \nAccording to the U. S. Department of Transportation, DST reduces the national electrical load in the United States by over 1 percent, saving 3,000,000 barrels of oil each month. However, a spokesman from Cinergy Power Company said they have no statistics of the power saved through the implementation of DST as of yet. \nThe proponents of DST say that it effects such issues as agricultural practices, street crime, reporting sports scores, energy conservation, television schedules, traffic accidents, voter turnout and even the inheritance rights of twins. \nArguments exist on all sides of the issue, from when to begin and end DST to where it should be implemented, if at all. About 70 countries all around the world follow DST. In the United States only a few places do not use the system and instead follow Standard Time by not switching their clocks, including Arizona and Hawaii. Most of Indiana has not followed DST either, but that will change as of 2006. \nIn a recent poll conducted by the United States government that asks "How do you like DST?" with 1,546 respondents so far, 30 percent say they "love it," 56 percent say they "hate it," 8 percent say they will "take it or leave it," while 5 percent responded with the "What time is it?" answer. \nThe law is waiting to be signed by President Bush, which is expected to happen Aug. 8.