California Gas Use Down 5.1%, Diesel Use Drops 8.6%

SACRAMENTO, Calif. January 29, 2009; Betty T. Yee, Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced gasoline figures that show Californians used less gasoline in October 2008 than in October 2007, down 67 million gallons from the prior year, a decline of 5.1 percent. Californians used a total of 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline in October 2008, compared with 1.32 billion in October 2007.

The average California gas price at the pump in October 2008 was $3.44 per gallon, a 10.6 percent increase from the average price in October 2007 when it was $3.11. Gasoline sold at the higher price in October 2008 generated approximately $343 million in sales tax during that month, an estimated $17 million more than was generated in October 2007.

Diesel fuel sold for use on California roads totaled 252 million gallons in October 2008, an 8.6 percent decline, which is 24 million gallons below that of October 2007. The decreased consumption reflects both the impacts of higher diesel prices of $3.57 in October 2008 and the slowing economy that is associated with less freight movement on California roads and highways. California diesel prices were up 9.2 percent in October 2008 compared to October of 2007 when the average diesel price was $3.27.

The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors. Figures for November 2008 are scheduled to be available at the end of February 2009. All monthly, quarterly, and annual figures can be viewed on the BOE website at: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.

Taxable Gasoline Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/MVF_10_Year_Report.pdf

Taxable Diesel Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/Diesel_10_Year_Report.pdf

Chairwoman Betty T. 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 is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53 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.