The elevators in my office building have TV screens with news tidbits and other interesting items. One of these being viewer polls.  Today’s was “Do you think that starting Daylight Savings Time 3 weeks early saves energy?”  The pollsters answered 64% NO and 38% Yes.

I’m one of the 38%. Normally I’m happy to listen to other people’s opinions and I try to keep an open mind. But I really can’t fathom why people would think that it doesn’t save energy. And here’s my reasoning - during standard time my commute home from work takes a full 50 minutes - in bumper to bumper traffic - exhaust spewing from countless cars - me sitting there forcing my eyes away from that damn sign on some downtown condos that reads “If you lived here you’d be home by now” - Argh.  OK, got a little sidetracked. Here’s the point.  This week it’s taken me all of 20-25 minutes to get home. Yep…cut my evening commute in half.  Now, being a transplant to LA I’ve always annoyingly stated that these people in LA are solar powered - they can’t drive unless the sun is shining.  But it’s true. There are no less cars on the road, no less people commuting - the difference is that now the people can SEE where they’re going and consequently, they go there faster.

So if my commute has been cut in half that means there are literally HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of other Los Angeles Countians who are also enjoying a shorter commute.

Let’s tally it up -

• Less freeway buildup means less gas used and less smog. This is saving all of us money at the gas pump and helping ease the strain on our atmosphere.
• We’re all getting home earlier - it’s still light out so we’re not using much energy before 7pm (when daily electricity use declines anyway).
• Yeah, we might be getting up in the dark in the morning - but electricity use is lowest in the morning - and if you’re a 9 to 5er like me, you’re using about an hours worth of electricity and then you’re out the door.

So - where do fit in? Do you like Daylight Savings Time starting earlier? or not?