DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the twice yearly time change, one is the actual change and the other is, if the change were eliminated, would we then have year-round standard time or year-round daylight saving time (DST)? 

With year-round DST, sunrise would not be until 8:15 a.m. in the middle of winter, and medical science has shown that humans need daylight as soon as they wake up to set internal body clocks for proper daytime functioning and to have a  good night’s sleep. 

Imagine people up early, perhaps groggy, rushing to work, children on the streets walking to school, and all this before the sun has risen. The danger of possible accidents under these conditions would be lessened with earlier sunrise afforded by standard time. 

Yes, there would be an early sunset, but at 4 p.m. people haven’t just awakened are not rushing to get to work or school, and many children are safely home already. I know you have researchers who can find the studies to be cited. I wonder why the two states which have enacted year-round standard time did so. What were the reasons? — No name, no town

ANSWER: First, I don’t have “researchers who can find the studies.” It’s only me! 

Major medical and scientific organizations such as The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) explicitly advocate for permanent standard time over year-round DST. Human biology relies heavily on morning sunlight. Morning light resets the master clock in our brain, regulating cortisol levels, alertness, and melatonin production. 

Forcing the human body to wake up, commute, and function in prolonged darkness disrupts this natural circadian rhythm. Studies show chronic circadian misalignment leads to higher risks of sleep deprivation, metabolic issues, cardiovascular problems, and mood disorders. 

For more information, there is a dedicated nonprofit organization, Save Standard Time (https://savestandardtime.com/)  as well as The Coalition for Permanent Standard Time (https://ditchdst.com/); Stanford Medicine Circadian Mapping Study (National https://stanmed.stanford.edu/no-daylight-saving-time-healthier);   National Sleep Foundation (https://www.thensf.org/national-sleep-foundation-reiterates-support-for-permanent-standard-time/); and The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (https://aasm.org/).

These two states were allowed to opt out of daylight saving time and stay on permanent standard time year-round. Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, the federal government strictly controls time zones but the law gives states an option to stay on standard time but also, they are forbidden from adopting permanent daylight saving time without federal approval.

You asked about the two states that have permanent standard time. Because of Arizona’s hot desert climate, adding an extra hour of evening sunlight means waiting until 9 p.m. for the intense heat to subside to participate in outdoor activities, and it would also increase energy consumption.

Hawaii is near the equator and because of this tropical latitude, the length of daylight changes by only about an hour between summer and winter so there is no practical benefit for the time change. 

The House of Representatives passed a reintroduced version of the Sunshine Protection Act, aimed to eliminate seasonal clock changes by making daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill has stalled in the Senate, lacking the clear 60 votes required to clear the chamber. Because the Senate has not acted, Americans will still “fall back” to standard time on Nov. 1.

Maine is among 19 states that have already passed legislation to adopt year-round daylight saving time, pending federal approval.

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