Californians burned less gas in the last quarter of 2007 than the year before, according to figures released Friday by the state Board of Equalization. This continues nearly a two-year trend that at first surprised energy experts but now is almost taken for granted with gas selling for a record $3.63 a gallon statewide.
"This shows how a little effort can make a big difference," said Sean Comey, the energy watcher with the state auto club.
Reality check: The drop amounts to less than a gallon per driver over a year. Sounds small, experts say, but it's significant when the state's 23 million-plus motorists are tallied. In the fourth quarter of last year, consumption declined by 57 million gallons from the same period in 2006 in the state. And for all of 2007 California drivers consumed 15,672 billon gallons - down 153 million gallons from the total of 15,25 billon gallons for all of 2006.
"With a little bit more attention to some easy conservation efforts like making sure your tires are properly inflated and driving the speed limit, many people could probably save quite a bit more than a half gallon a month," Comey said.
The higher gas prices have translated to a financial boon for strapped transportation agencies. The state estimates that the sales tax revenue on gas
purchases is nearly twice as much as five years ago.
Higher prices generated about $3.6 billion in sales tax last year compared to $2.1 billon in 2003.
Friday, March 28, 2008
High Gas Prices Affecting California Driving
San Jose Mercury reports:
