DOGE Advocates Ending Daylight Saving Time to Boost Efficiency

Time might be running out for Daylight Saving Time (DST) in America. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is pushing to eliminate the biannual clock changes as part of a broader effort to streamline government policies and cut waste.

What’s the Problem with Daylight Saving Time?

• Marginal Energy Savings: Advocates argue DST reduces energy consumption, but the data tells a different story. A Stanford University meta-analysis found that DST reduced energy usage by a meager 0.34%. Meanwhile, a 2008 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggested it might actually increase energy consumption by up to 1%.

• Economic Costs: Studies show the clock shifts disrupt sleep schedules, leading to increased heart attacks, workplace injuries, and reduced productivity. Chmura Economics and Analytics estimates these effects cost the U.S. economy $434 million annually.

• Operational Hassles: The time changes complicate international travel, cause scheduling errors, and create unnecessary confusion for businesses and individuals.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have voiced strong support for abolishing DST. Musk recently remarked on X, “Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” Ramaswamy added, “It’s inefficient & easy to change.”

A History of Controversy

DST isn’t as deeply ingrained in American tradition as many might think. While the U.S. experimented with it during both World Wars to save energy, the practice wasn’t standardized until 1966. Even now, states like Hawaii and most of Arizona opt out entirely.

Efforts to end DST have gained momentum in recent years. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), recently tapped by President-elect Trump for Secretary of State, has championed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” a bill to end the biannual time changes. Rubio’s bill has received bipartisan support, with more than a dozen senators co-sponsoring the most recent version.

“This ritual of changing time twice a year is stupid,” Rubio bluntly stated. “Locking the clock has overwhelming bipartisan and popular support.”

The DOGE Vision

Musk and Ramaswamy’s push to abolish DST aligns with their broader mission to simplify government and eliminate inefficiencies. By ending DST, DOGE aims to cut unnecessary costs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans.

As support for “locking the clock” grows, the days of springing forward and falling back may soon be a thing of the past.

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