Betty T. Yee: California`s Gasoline Use Down 2.5%, Diesel Drops 8.4%

Three Year Decline in California Gasoline and Diesel Consumption Continues

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Betty T. Yee, Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced
that California gasoline consumption declined 2.5 percent in April from March.
California diesel consumption declined 8.4 percent in April from March. The
figures released today show that Californians consumed a total of 1.25 billion
gallons of gasoline in April, compared with 1.28 billion gallons of gasoline in
March.

"We`ve seen this decline in California gasoline consumption for three years,"
said Chairwoman Yee. "Consumer behavior has clearly been influenced by the
economic recession, higher gasoline prices, less driving, and more fuel
efficient vehicles."

In a year over year comparison, gas use fell 0.8 percent in April from the same
month last year, when 1.26 billion gallons were consumed in April 2008, or 10
million gallons less in April 2009.

The average California gasoline price at the pump in April was $2.38 per gallon,
a 38.2 percent decline from the average price the same month last year when it
was $3.85.Gasoline sold at the lower price in April 2009 generated approximately
$219 million in sales tax during that month, an estimated $138 million less than
was generated in April 2008.

California diesel consumption declined 8.4 percent in April from March. The
figures released today show that Californians consumed a total of 220 million
gallons of diesel in April 2009, compared with 240 million gallons in March
2009. In a year over year comparison, diesel use fell 4.4 percent in April from
the same month last year, when 230 million gallons of diesel fuel were sold in
April 2008, or 10 million gallons less in April 2009.

With the effects of the recession, diesel consumption declined despite a steep
decrease in prices.California diesel prices were $2.34 per gallon in April 2009
down 45.2 percent compared to April 2008, when the average diesel price was
$4.27 per gallon.

The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel
distributors. Figures for May 2009 are scheduled to be available at the end of
August 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.For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit
www.taxes.ca.gov.

Anita Gore, 916-327-8988
Chief, Communications Office
anita.gore@boe.ca.gov
www.boe.ca.gov

Copyright Business Wire 2009