SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Betty T. Yee, chair of the California Board of Equalization, said late last week that for the first time in 14 years, statistics show a downward trend in gasoline sales statewide.
For three consecutive quarters, from April through December of 2006, gasoline consumption came in below the same periods of 2005. Californians used 112 million fewer gallons in 2006 than they did the year prior.
Likely causes for the drop in fuel use include consumers limiting the distances they drive and choosing more fuel efficient [image-nocss] vehicles, including hybrid automobiles, she said.
During this nine-month period, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in California was $2.958. The last drop in annual gasoline use was seen in 1992, she added.
The five-member Board of Equalization is a publicly elected tax board. The board collects nearly $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 plays a role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.
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