California gasoline consumption down 1.8 percent, diesel up 4.8 percent in October

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SACRAMENTO – Gasoline consumption in California declined 1.8 percent in October 2011 while diesel fuel consumption increased 4.8 percent according to a report released Tuesday by California State Board of Equalization (BOE) First District Member Betty T. Yee.

“We are seeing a trend in the last eight months of 2011 of Californians consuming less gasoline,” said Yee. “However, diesel fuel has shown an increase for four months which may indicate signs of economic growth in the transportation sector in California.”

California used 1.23 billion gallons of gasoline in October 2011 which is a 1.8 percent decline from the previous year when 1.26 gallons were used.

In California, the average price of gasoline rose 74 cents to $3.89 per gallon in October 2011, a 23 percent increase compared to $ 3.15 per gallon in October 2010.

Nationally, the average price of fuel jumped 66 cents to $3.51 in October 2011, a 23 percent increase over the October 2010 price per gallon of $2.85.

Diesel fuel consumption in California increased 10.3 million gallons in October to a total of 226 million gallons, which is a 4.8 percent increase compared to the previous year when 216 million gallons were consumed.

The average price of diesel in California rose 85 cents to $4.06 per gallon in October 2011 compared to $3.21 per gallon in October 2010.

Nationally, the average price of diesel rose 75 cents to $3.80 per gallon which is a 25 percent increase compared to $3.05 per gallon in October 2010.

California gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and the State Controller’s Office refunds.

BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors in California. BOE updates the reports at the end of each month.

Fuel statistics and reports can be found at www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.

Taxable gasoline gallons report: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/MVF_10_Year_Report.pdf.

Taxable diesel gallons report: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/Diesel_10_Year_Report.pdf .

Yee was elected to her post in November 2006.  Her district includes many of California's coastal counties, from Del Norte to Santa Barbara, and includes the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board.  The BOE collects more than $50 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services.

It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.

For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.