California Gasoline Consumption Declined in Third Quarter of 2012

California Gasoline and Diesel Demand Fell in Third Quarter, Fuel Tax Data Says

California's gasoline consumption declined 1.3 percent in the third quarter of 2012, according to fuel tax data released by George Runner, Second District Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE). Diesel consumption declined 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2012.

"The lesson of 2012 is that high gas prices and gas price spikes are a threat to California's economic recovery," said Runner. "High gas prices rob California consumers and businesses of dollars they hoped to spend in other ways."

BOE's fuel tax report shows Californians consumed 3.68 billion gallons of gasoline in the third quarter of 2012, a 1.3 percent decline from the 3.73 billion gallons consumed during the third quarter of 2011. In California, the average price of gasoline in the third quarter of 2012 was $4.05 per gallon. Nationally, the average price of gasoline in the third quarter was $3.73, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

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.