New Analysis shows U.S. can cut gulf oil use by half

Thirty-three million American's could work from home. If they did, the U.S. could make major cuts in oil dependency and significantly reduce global warming.

These findings, just released by telework researchers, Kate Lister and Tom Harnish, are based on a synthesis of data from EPA, DOT, and 7 other recent sources. They found that telework could reduce Gulf oil imports by 48%, cut 67 million metric tons of CO2 pollution each year, and save over 7.5 trillion gallons of gasoline each year-a savings $1.1 billion a day. These findings have been reviewed by the top authorities on the subject including: Jack Nilles, the father of telework, Jack Heacock Co-Founder of the Telework Coalition; Diane O'Grady, President of the Mid-Atlantic Telework Coalition; Nick Ramfos, Director of Washington-based Commuter Connections; and Bob Fortier, President of the Canadian Telework Association.

Details, including assumptions, sources, and links to other industry experts are provided at www.undress4success.com

Research shows that 40% (almost half) of the U.S. workforce hold jobs that are suitable for telework. If they were allowed to work from home these teleworkers would collectively avoid 154 trillion miles of driving and save $25 trillion in fuel purchases, even accounting for mileage for errands formerly accomplished driving to or from work.

Wasted time would also be slashed. By avoiding wasteful commutes, workers would accumulate the equivalent of 5 work weeks of free time a year.

Already 12 million employees and another 16 million self-employed people work at home at least one day a month. Collectively, these home-based workers now save the equivalent of 24% of Gulf oil imports and avoid producing 33 million metric tons greenhouse gases a year.

Telecommuting has been simmering for years, says Lister, but it's only recently that economic and environmental factors, combined with technology advances, set the pot boiling. It's clear that as nation we can and should make the road less traveled the way to work.

We've reviewed over 50 studies dating back to the '70s, says Harnish, and teleworkers are generally more productive than their office bound coworkers even though many managers still don't trust people to work alone.

But employers are warming to the idea and the number of telecommuters has increased by 39% since 2002, and 10% in the last year. Telework offers employers access to a larger talent pool, helps them recruit and retain good people, offers business continuity in the event of disaster, and reduces real estate costs. One company Lister and Harnish interviewed reported that telework has allowed them to eliminate a million square feet of office space.

Government support for the work-from-home model is picking up steam as well. Although not widely known, all federal agencies are required to promote telework to the maximum extent possible. Legislation dating back to 1995 provides financial support for work at home programs. In August 2007 the House of Representatives approved The Telework Enhancement Act which calls for stricter enforcement of earlier telework mandates. In December the Senate passed an energy bill, H.R. 6, which includes a provision that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop educational materials on the benefits of telecommuting. Additional telework legislation is pending in both the House and the Senate.

Kate Lister is a former banker, venture capital consultant, and business owner. Tom Harnish is a former Consulting Scientist with Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Senior Scientist for an international computer service company, and CEO of several start-up companies. Together they wrote Finding Money-The Small Business Guide To Financing and The Directory of Venture Capital, both published by John Wiley & Sons. They are currently working on Undress For Success - The Road Less Traveled Is Your Way To Work.