Michigan Closing In On One Last Daylight Saving Time?

You may have already noticed that it is already getting dark earlier. We won't see the sun past 8 pm until spring. Get ready Lansing, in a couple of weeks were are about to fall back. Daylight saving time is coming to an end for 2022. After next year, it could become a permanent thing in Michigan.

Before we go there, why do we even bother with that whole setting our clocks back thing? The whole idea was believed to be used to give farmers more light in the fields. Truth is, it ain't just for farmers. It is basically so we can all take advantage of the daylight during the warm weather. Some people believe the upside to, "Falling back," is that bonus hour of sleep. Not everyone calls that a benefit. You can read more about that here.

This all might be going away for Michiganders. We might be doing away with the whole process. Back in March, The Sunshine Protection Act was passed by a unanimous Senate vote. It goes to the House, and if passed and signed by the president, would make the time change permanent.  There are a lot of states that are trying to do away with it. Arizona hasn't followed the time change for years. Michigan could follow along that path.

So what does year round daylight saving time mean for Michigan? There would be longer daylight hours even when it is cold outside. The downside is the mornings. Detroit would not see the sun until after 8am for around four months a year. For places like Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Marquette that could be as long as five months. The permanent time change could make for a much darker morning commute.

It is not a law yet, but there are plenty in favor of it. There are still a lot of looming questions for Michiganders. Are longer days worth it when it is freezing cold outside? Will it really save on energy? How weird will darkness at 8am look? If the law passes, we could find out next year. So for now, Michigan could be closing in on one last daylight saving time.