Washington, D.C. (August 4, 2008) - The majority of micro-businesses are being crushed by high energy costs, according to the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). A recent survey asked micro-business owners to what degree the increased costs are affecting their work, and the majority reported a moderate to significant negative impact. A scant 5 percent reported that these costs have had no effect on their firms.
One of the largest aspects of operations being affected is vehicle use. Three-quarters of business owners said they have had to cut down on the amount of travel associated with their business.

Congress and the Administration have recommended a number of proposals to provide short-term relief and long-term solutions to the country’s dependence on foreign oil. The following received support from micro-business owners:

Allow the Attorney General to bring an enforcement action against any country or company that is colluding in setting the price of oil, natural gas or any petroleum product (82 %)

Allow additional drilling in possible oil rich areas such as Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico (78%)

Offer tax subsidies to energy companies to encourage expansion of alternative energy sources (i.e. clean coal, wind energy, natural gas (72%)

Provide tax credits to drivers who buy cars with fuel-efficient technology (69%)

Respondents indicated strong support for other proposals, including the creation of a temporary tax on windfall profits of the major oil companies.

View full survey results (http://www.nase.org/Survey/past_survey_results.asp?SurveyID=34)

Check out previous NASE online member polls by visiting the Press Room.

Methodology:

Posted in the members-only portal on the NASE Web site, the survey was available for members to take during the months of June and July 2008. Nearly 600 NASE Members opted-in to the non-scientific survey and members were prohibited from taking it more than once.

Kristie Darien is available for more information about the poll or micro-businesses. Please contact Kristin Oberlander by phone at 202-466-2100 or by email at koberlander@nase.org with additional questions or to schedule an interview.

About the NASE

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation’s leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) non-profit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association’s web site at www.NASE.org.

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