Jerome E. Horton, Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), announced state gasoline and diesel consumption figures for second quarter 2011 and for June 2011. In California, gasoline consumption declined 3.6 percent in second quarter 2011 and declined 2.8 percent in June. Diesel fuel consumption declined 3.1 percent in June 2011 and rose 0.9 percent in second quarter 2011.

“In California, the average price of a gallon of gasoline increased 32 percent in the second quarter”

“In California, the average price of a gallon of gasoline increased 32 percent in the second quarter,” Horton said. “In the face of persistent high gasoline prices, Californians continued to use less gasoline. We all experienced pain at the pump as California slowly recovers its economic footing.”

In June 2011, California’s gasoline consumption decreased 2.8 percent to 1.22 billion gallons of gasoline compared to last year when 1.26 billion gallons of gasoline were consumed. June’s average price for a gallon of gasoline in California rose 84 cents to $3.97, a 27 percent increase compared to last June when the average price was $3.13 per gallon of gasoline. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in June was up 95 cents to $3.74 per gallon, a 34 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of gasoline of $2.79 last year in June.

In second quarter 2011, California’s gasoline consumption declined 3.6 percent, with a total of 3.66 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 3.80 billion gallons of gasoline in the second quarter last year. In California, the average price of gasoline per gallon rose 99 cents to $4.13 in second quarter 2011, a 32 percent increase over last year’s average price of $3.14 per gallon in second quarter 2010. Nationally, the average price of gasoline rose 99 cents to $3.85 in second quarter 2011, a 35 percent increase over last year’s U.S. average price of $2.86 per gallon of gasoline in second quarter 2010.

In June 2011, diesel consumption declined 3.1 percent for a total of 243 million gallons compared to the total of 251 million gallons of diesel in June 2010. In California, the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel was up $1.11 to $4.21 per gallon in June 2011, a 36 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of diesel of $3.10 in June 2010. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of diesel was up 98 cents to $3.93 in June 2011, a 33 percent increase over the average U.S. price of a gallon of diesel of $2.95 in June 2010.

In the second quarter 2011, diesel consumption increased 0.9 percent to 667 million gallons compared to 661 million gallons in the second quarter 2010. In California, the average price of diesel fuel in second quarter 2011 increased $1.16 to $4.33, a 37 percent increase compared to $3.17 price per gallon of diesel in second quarter 2010. Nationally, the average price of diesel fuel in second quarter 2011 was up 98 cents to $4.01, a 32 percent increase over second quarter 2010’s average U.S. price of $3.03 per gallon of diesel.

Gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes the State Board of Equalization’s audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns and the State Controller’s Office refunds. The State Board of Equalization is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors in California. Figures for July 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of October 2011. Figures for third quarter 2011 will be available at the end of December 2011.

To see all monthly, quarterly and annual reports, visit 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

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.