News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 15, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Study potential energy savings from extended daylight saving time, Locke requests in letter to U.S. DOT

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to study whether energy savings would result if individual states were allowed to extend daylight saving time.

The governor made the request in a letter to U.S. DOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

"The combination of high prices and tight energy supplies is hindering the economy of Washington and other western states and there is a chance that Washington will face rolling electrical blackouts this winter," the governor wrote. "We need creative, low-cost ways to reduce our consumption of electricity as we move through the summer and fall."

In making the request, Locke noted that Congress has extended daylight saving time in the past to reduce energy use.

"I have seen figures for 1974 and 1975 from the U.S. DOT that estimated 10,000 barrels of oil were saved each day in March and April as a result of observing daylight saving time," the governor noted. "Furthermore, I understand that California recently completed preliminary studies that show potential for reducing electricity consumption through extended daylight saving time."

The governor noted that while there was legislation pending before Congress to allow states in the Pacific time zone to adjust temporarily the standard time in response to the energy crisis, it was imperative that a study first be conducted to ensure that there were no negative impacts to health and safety, agriculture, transportation, or the economy.

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