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Italian Chamber Panel Opens Inquiry Into Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Hearings through June 30 will assess nationwide impacts before the panel advises on next steps.

Overview

  • The Chamber of Deputies’ X Commission approved a fact‑finding inquiry on replacing seasonal clock changes with a single year‑round time.
  • The timetable calls for hearings with institutions, independent authorities, EU representatives, business groups, consumer advocates and academic experts through June 30.
  • The review compares maintaining the biannual shift with adopting permanent daylight saving time, examining energy use, productivity, public health and social patterns.
  • Official Terna data attribute more than 12 billion kWh of electricity savings in 2004–2025 to seasonal daylight saving, worth about €2.3 billion to consumers, while SIMA estimates 160,000–200,000 tonnes less CO2 annually.
  • The effort proceeds as EU coordination remains stalled after a 2018 consultation found 84% favored ending clock changes and a 2019 Parliament proposal faltered; the Italian inquiry could also evaluate a limited trial phase.