Time may be up for DST

Frontiersman

JUNEAU — As Alaskans set their clocks back one hour Saturday night — or for some, this morning — this year’s time change may be the last rite of the biannual ritual associated with Daylight Saving Time.

A bill moving through the state legislature is seeking statewide exemption for Alaska from the time change.

On her website supporting HB 19, Rep. Anna Fairclough — a Republican from Eagle River who introduced the bill — said the time change is antiquated at best and harmful at worst.

DST was introduced on the national level during World War II with the idea of saving energy, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. The clocks are to be rolled forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and set back on the first Sunday in November. The idea is to match the daylight hours with peoples’ peak activity reducing the need for artificial light.

However, statistical analyses by the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy have shown there is little to no real energy savings associated with the time change. A website accompanying the bill includes studies showing DST has detrimental effects on school attendance, public safety and individual health.

HB 19 passed the State House of Representatives in March. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

How they voted

HB 19, seeking state exemption from Daylight Saving Time, passed the State House of Representatives 22-15-3. Below is a list of voting record for the Valley delegates.

Harris    Yea

Keller    Yea

Neuman    Yea

Stoltze    Yea

Gatto    Excused

For the complete House vote, go to the Alaska State Legislature website and look for House Bill 19.