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Fortune 500 Conserve Fuel with Commuter Benefits to Employees

Release Date: 10/19/2005
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FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, October 19, 2005

(#05118) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Intel, QUALCOMM, and Oracle lead the 2nd annual list of Best Workplaces for Commuters from the Fortune 500 Companies, EPA announced today. The Bush Administration is recognizing these companies for their role in offering excellent commuter benefits that reduce fuel consumption, vehicle emissions and traffic congestion across the country.

"During President Bush's national call to conserve our country's energy resources, small adjustments to our daily routine - like the way we get to and from work - can produce enormous combined benefits," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By providing their employees with sensible, innovative commuting benefits, these Best Workplaces for Commuters are joining the national march toward energy security and a cleaner environment."

"Investing in a more environmentally friendly commute to the workplace doesn't just make economic sense; it contributes to a better quality of life for employees, which profits everyone. We hope this distinction encourages other companies to get on board," said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. "Better air quality due to less congestion is an invaluable employee benefit."

Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) is an innovative partnership that provides a way for employers to encourage energy conservation by offering commuter benefits, such as subsidized transit passes and vanpool vouchers, telework and rideshare programs, bike lockers, showers, and an emergency ride home.

Almost 600,000 employees receive commuter benefits from BWC's list of Fortune 500 companies. This results in the reduction of approximately 270,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, equivalent to eliminating emissions from more than 53,000 cars each year and saving nearly 30 million gallons of gasoline, or $88 million at today's gas prices (Energy Information Administration, October 17, 2005 national average price: $2.75/gallon)

Employers large and small are making a difference with BWC. Participating employers in the BWC program offer commuter benefits to more than 2.8 million employees nationwide, including nearly 600,000 employees from Fortune 500 companies. Overall, the program conserves 146 million gallons of gasoline and prevents the release of 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, while saving commuters more than $400 million annually at current gas prices.

The companies being recognized today have met EPA's National Standard of Excellence. In addition, EPA is showcasing its "Top 20 List." The companies on this list offer these commuter benefits to the highest percentages of their U.S. workforce.

To meet the National Standard of Excellence for commuter benefits and qualify as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters, employers must provide:

• At least one primary commuter benefit, such as a monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy or a significant telecommuting program;
• At least three supporting commuter benefits, such as carpool/vanpool incentives, lockers/showers for bikers or walkers, compressed/flexible work schedules, or
  on-site daycare; A central point of contact, who actively informs employees of available commuter benefits; and
• Access to an Emergency or Guaranteed Ride Home Program.

The Top 20 Best Workplaces for Commuters from the FORTUNE 500 Companies are:

1. Intel
2. (tie) QUALCOMM
2. (tie) Oracle
4. Sun Microsystems
5. Microsoft
6. (tie) Texas Instruments
6. (tie) Cisco Systems
8. Advanced Micro Devices
9. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
10. Safeco
11. EMC Corporation
12. Boeing
13. (tie) Devon Energy
13. (tie) El Paso Corporation
13. (tie) Nike, Inc.
16. Hewlett-Packard
17. (tie) IBM
17. (tie) Reliant Energy
19. Wyeth
20. Apple Computer