California Gas Consumption Down 1.3 Percent in July

Diesel Consumption Down 2.5 Percent

California's gasoline demand declined 1.3 percent in July when average prices were $3.82 per gallon, according to fuel tax data released by George Runner, Second District Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE). Diesel consumption declined 2.5 percent in July when diesel prices averaged $3.92 per gallon.

"As we've seen so clearly in recent weeks, California is a gasoline island," said Runner. "On a good day, California gas prices are higher than most other states. On a bad day, there's no ceiling to how high prices might soar. If the Governor and Legislature want to attract job creators to California, they need to deal with this issue."

BOE's fuel tax report showed Californians consumed 1.23 billion gallons of gasoline in July, a 1.3 percent decrease from the 1.25 billion during the same month last year. In California, average gasoline prices were down 2 cents to $3.82 in July, a 0.6 percent decrease compared to the average price of $3.84 per gallon in July 2011 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Nationally, the EIA reports regular gasoline averaged $3.50 a gallon in July 2012, down 21 cents from a year earlier in July 2011 when the price was $3.71 per gallon.

California's diesel consumption was 218 million gallons in July, down 6 million gallons or 2.5 percent from a year ago when 223 million gallons of diesel was used in July 2011. California's average diesel prices were down 19 cents to $3.92 per gallon in July compared to $4.11 in July 2011. The EIA diesel retail prices reported the national average price of diesel was down 18 cents, to $3.72 in July from last year in July when diesel was $3.90.

For more information on California fuel statistics reports based on fuel tax receipts paid by distributors in California, visit: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents the State Board of Equalization's Second District. He is a leading advocate for California taxpayers. Runner has worked to improve California's tax policies and practices and to create and retain more private sector jobs in our state. Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature, authoring the well-known California Amber Alert and California's Blue Alert. As a thoughtful conservative, his legislative priorities included improving the economy, business growth, education excellence, and public safety for all Californians. As a member of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, Runner consistently led the fight against tax increases and supported tax relief for families and businesses.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53.7 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.