Daylight Saving Time in Oregon: When it starts and what you need to know
While DST was originally introduced to save energy during World War I, Oregon has been pushing for permanent daylight saving time since 2019. Here’s what you need to know.
As the days gradually grow longer, many Oregonians may be wondering when it’s time to set their clocks forward. However, the practice has long been debated, with many states, including Oregon, pushing to make DST permanent.
Daylight saving time was first introduced in the United States in 1918 as a way to conserve fuel during World War I. While it has evolved over the years, the debate over its effectiveness continues. Here’s what you need to know about daylight saving time and when to adjust your clocks.
When does Daylight Saving Time begin in Oregon?
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9.
Each spring, states that observe daylight saving time move their clocks forward by one hour on the second Sunday of March. While this means losing an hour of sleep, it also brings the benefit of longer daylight hours throughout the day.
What is the purpose of Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight saving time (DST) was first implemented in the United States in 1918 under the Standard Time Act to help conserve fuel during World War I. This law also established standard time and divided the country into five time zones.
After the war, the government discontinued daylight saving time, but it was reinstated during World War II. From 1973 to 1975, Congress briefly made daylight saving time permanent in an effort to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis, but the decision was reversed in 1974 due to its unpopularity and lack of effectiveness.
In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the duration of daylight saving time. The current schedule—beginning on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November—was established in 2005 when the law was amended.
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time provides benefits such as energy conservation, fewer traffic accidents, and lower crime rates.
Why does Oregon lose an hour in March?
Oregon follows daylight saving time every March, shifting the clocks forward by one hour to extend daylight in the spring and summer evenings.
In 2019, Oregon passed a law to permanently remain on daylight saving time and eliminate the need to turn clocks back in the fall. However, the state is still awaiting Congressional approval to make this change official.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) co-sponsored the Sunshine Protection Act, reintroduced in 2023, which aims to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. Although the Senate approved the bill, it has stalled in the House of Representatives.