No More Changing the Clocks? Here’s What Permanent Daylight Saving Time Means for New York

Changing the clocks twice a year may soon become a thing of the past.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country. If it ultimately becomes law, Americans would "spring forward" one final time but never have to "fall back" ever again.

That means brighter evenings in the winter... but it also comes with a tradeoff that could make early mornings much darker.

What Is the Sunshine Protection Act?

The Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the twice-a-year clock changes by keeping the country on Daylight Saving Time year-round.

That means the clocks would move ahead in the spring as usual, but they would not move back an hour in November.

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Supporters say ending the time change could give people more daylight after work and school. It could also encourage more outdoor recreation and shopping.

They also say it would reduce disruptions to sleep caused by changing the clocks and potentially help with seasonal depression by providing more evening sunlight.

Not everyone is on board, though. Nay sayers point to much darker winter mornings, which could affect school commutes, morning drivers, and some industries like agriculture.

Here's How Sunrise and Sunset Would Change in Utica

If the bill becomes law, summer would stay exactly the same; you'd still enjoy:

• Earliest summer sunrise: 5:20 a.m.
• Latest summer sunset: 8:44 p.m.

The biggest changes would happen during the winter.

Instead of seeing the sun rise around its current latest time, Utica's latest winter sunrise would shift to approximately 8:30 a.m.

The good news? You'd gain an extra hour of daylight after work.

The earliest winter sunset would move from roughly 4:25 p.m. to about 5:25 p.m., giving many people another hour of daylight in the evening.

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For anyone who's tired of leaving work in complete darkness, that could be a welcome change. On the other hand, many morning commuters and parents sending kids to school would be doing so before sunrise for much of the winter.

The Bill Isn't Law Yet

While the House has approved the Sunshine Protection Act, there are still a couple of important steps before it becomes reality.

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where it must be approved before being sent to the President's desk for a signature.

President Trump has publicly expressed support for making Daylight Saving Time permanent, but the Senate must first pass the legislation before any changes can take effect.

New York Has Already Started Preparing

New York lawmakers have already introduced legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent if federal law allows it.

That proposal remains in committee, meaning the state is essentially waiting to see what happens in Washington before moving forward.

Would You Want Permanent Daylight Saving Time?

This debate has been going on for years, and people remain divided.

Some love the idea of enjoying more daylight after work during the darkest months of the year. Others aren't thrilled about the thought of an 8:30 a.m. sunrise in the middle of winter.

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If the Sunshine Protection Act clears the Senate and is signed into law, it could mark the end of the twice-yearly tradition of changing the clocks, a routine Americans have followed for decades.