Richard Nixon photo

Statement on Signing the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973.

December 15, 1973

I AM pleased to sign today H.R. 11324, placing the United States on daylight saving time for a period of approximately 2 years, beginning at 2 a.m., Sunday, January 6, 1974.

We have taken a number of actions to meet the energy crisis, and more will have to be taken. Many require inconvenience and sacrifice. But daylight saving time on a year-round basis, which will result in the conservation during the winter months of an estimated equivalent of 150,000 barrels of oil a day, will mean only a minimum of inconvenience and will involve equal participation by all. Unlike many of our other initiatives to deal with the energy crisis and to accomplish the goal of self-sufficiency in energy through Project Independence, these savings will not require research, new technology, diplomacy, or exploration.

I am delighted that the Congress has moved expeditiously in providing this method of helping to meet the energy shortage, and I am hopeful that we might see equally expeditious action on the more complex and far-reaching legislation which we must have to deal with this problem.

I call upon the Congress to complete action before the recess on Responsible bills to provide the energy emergency authorities we need to deal with the problem and to give a statutory base to the Federal Energy Administration to provide the necessary focused leadership.

Note: The President signed the bill in a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House.

As enacted, H.R. 11324 is Public Law 93-182 (87 Stat. 707).

Richard Nixon, Statement on Signing the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/255863

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