As treacherous winter storms paralyze the mobility of so many Americans across the country to safely navigate to a physical workplace, a more practical idea is being driven home. That idea is Telecommuting. Besides boosting productivity amidst the snarls and tie-ups of snow bound traffic, telecommuting could play a major role in America's energy future. Just look at the numbers.

Telecommuting could reduce Gulf oil imports by 24 to 48%, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 67 million metric tons a year, and save as much as 7.5 trillion gallons of gasoline each year. These findings are based on research conducted by Kate Lister and Tom Harnish from Undress4Success.com. "It's clear that as nation we can and should make the road less traveled the way to work," says Lister.

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 24 to 48%, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 67 million metric tons a year, and save as much as 7.5 trillion gallons of gasoline each year—a savings $110 million a day.

The 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; Lauren Olsen, The Telework Exchange; and Bob Fortier, President of the Canadian Telework Association.

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 workweeks 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.

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.