A move toward permanent daylight saving time (DST) in the United States, should Congress pass such legislation, could lead to considerably later sunrises in many parts of the country during the winter months. This would mean many Americans would start their days in darkness, as happened during a brief experiment with year-round DST in 1974.
AccuWeather projections suggest that in Dallas, Texas, the sun might not rise until around 8:30 a.m. local time on January 15, with sunset occurring shortly after 6:40 p.m. In Indianapolis, residents might not see the sun until after 9 a.m. on the same date. Further north and west, the impact could be more pronounced. In Juneau, Alaska, estimates indicate the latest sunrise could occur after 11 a.m. local time during the winter, with sunset around 4:40 p.m.
The United States has prior experience with year-round DST. In 1974, the country observed permanent DST for a short period. However, the change was met with widespread dissatisfaction primarily because early morning commuters and students had to travel to work and school in the dark. The unpopularity of these darker mornings soon led to the reintroduction of the clock changes.
Any legislative effort to make DST permanent would need to pass through Congress. The potential consequences for daily routines, particularly concerning sunrise and sunset times in different U.S. time zones during winter, are a key consideration in the ongoing discussion.