SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gasoline consumption in California declined 1.8 percent in October 2011 while diesel fuel consumption increased 4.8 percent according to a report released today by California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Chairman Jerome E. Horton.
“High gas prices appear to be directly affecting fuel consumption in California,” said Horton. “We are seeing a trend of Californians consuming less gasoline in the last eight months of 2011. We’ll see what coming months show as California begins to turn the corner and shows signs of economic growth.”
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 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
Elected in 2010, Chairman Jerome E. Horton is the Fourth District Member of the California State Board of Equalization, representing more than 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County. He is also the Board of Equalization Legislative Committee chairman. He is the first to serve on the Board of Equalization with over 21 years of experience at the BOE. Horton previously served as an Assembly Member of the California State Assembly from 2000-2006.
The five-member California State Board of Equalization is a publicly elected tax board. The Board of Equalization 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.