Daylight Savings to be Extended?

The WSJ is carrying a story today (paid link only) on how the current energy bill that is winding its way through congress extends daylight savings one month on both ends. Instead of going from early April to the end of October, it would go from early March to the end of November.

This would put the country on non-DLS for a whopping three months a year: December, January, and February. The extension is not a done deal, but the article puts its passage at a very high probability. And it would take effect immediately - we would not go off our current DLS until the end of November this year (the Sunday after Thanksgiving, in fact, giving travelers a 25 hour day for the last day of the weekend).

Personally, I like this change. The politicians like the supposed energy savings (100K barrels of oil a day), but I am one of the large majority of Americans that like it due to the lifestyle and leisure options it opens up. I would probably approve going on "permanent" DLS, but I do understand the issues that some have with it, sending kids to school in the dark and the like (although I remember going to school in the dark plenty during standard-time winter months, so I am not sure how much of an issue this really is).

Obviously this doesn't affect Arizona and parts of Illinois that opt out of DLS, and if there are large communities (typically rural) that don't like the change, more areas could decide to opt out if they can get passage through their state legislatures. But count me as one who is rooting for its passage.

Update: A second article the following day in the WSJ says the extension is on hold due to complaints by various groups. I guess this could be on hold for a while, or indefinitely.