Daylight Savings Time Extension

July 19, 2005

Re: July 19th Energy Conference Markup

Dear ::

I write on behalf of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the association of 750 Conservative Jewish congregations with 1.5 million members, in regard to the Daylight Savings Time Extension proposal in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It is my understanding that this provision (Section 110 of Title I - Energy Efficiency) is scheduled to be discussed during today's conference committee mark-up session. We wish to take this opportunity share our concerns about this provision and ask that you oppose this change to Daylight Savings Time.

The proposed change in Daylight Savings Time from April thru October to March thru November would result in a later sunrise that will produce an undue hardship on religious Jews. In Jewish law, the time of our morning prayers is dictated by sunrise. Part of our morning prayers cannot begin until after sunrise. For example, with this proposed change sunrise at the end of November will be approximately 8:30 AM in many parts of the country and even as late as 8:45 AM. Our prayers that cannot occur until after sunrise last about 30-40 minutes. The later sunrise will place a hardship on observant Jews that are required to recite their morning prayers and then must commute to the workplace by 9:00 AM.

Another concern, not just for observant Jews, is the safety of children. The extension of Daylight Savings Time will force children to walk to school in pitch black streets during the time of year (March and November) when inclement weather is more likely. The last time Daylight Savings Time was extended, in the early 1970s, there were numerous reports of children being injured in the streets as they walked to school in the dark. It is not unreasonable to think that this will happen again. Indeed, this danger was one of the reasons the previous extension of Daylight Savings Time was repealed after only one year.

We respectfully ask that you oppose the conference mark-up that will extend Daylight Savings Time to March and November. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Mark Waldman
Director of Public Policy