Does Daylight Savings Time Save Energy

Daylight savings time kicks in here in the United States this weekend.  That’s almost a full month earlier than in the past.  Does this really save energy?

A recent study conducted by Matthew Kotchen and Ph.D. student Laura Grant from UCSB indicates that it costs Indiana residents approximately an additional $8.6mm in utilities when they started observing DST.  That’s a pretty significant cost.

What’s the KM angle?  Maybe there are not cost benifits to Daylight Savings Time, but some people think there are social benefits; less crime, fewer fatal auto accidents, and more outdoor recreation time. 

What do I think? I just don’t want to lose that hour this weekend.