Betty T. Yee, Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization (BOE), has released California gasoline and diesel fuel consumption figures for April.

The figures released today show that California gasoline consumption slightly increased 0.6 percent on a year over year basis; while diesel fuel consumption in California declined 7.1 percent in April 2010.

The decline in diesel consumption was the largest since October.

“Although diesel consumption shows signs of our continuing difficulties throughout the economy, gasoline consumption is a better indicator of consumer driving and consumption habits,” said Yee. “This month saw a small uptick, but recent months have shown modest declines during a roughly 80-cent per gallon increase over last year.”

Gasoline consumption increased 0.6 percent in April 2010 when Californians consumed 1.255 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 1.248 billion gallons consumed in April 2009.

The average price at the pump for gasoline in California during April 2010 was $3.14 per gallon, which is an increase of 32 percent compared to April 2009 when average price at the pump for gasoline was $2.38.

Sales and use tax revenue from gasoline sales in California in April 2010 was $329 million, an increase of $110 million compared to the gasoline sold at the lower price in April 2009 that generated $219 million.

The April sales and use tax revenue of $329 million includes an additional $36 million due to the one percent sales and use tax rate increase that went into effect on April 1, 2009.

Diesel consumption in April 2010 shows that Californians used 204 million total gallons, which is a 7.1 percent decline than the total of 220 million gallons of diesel that Californians used in April 2009.

Diesel prices in California in April 2010 were $3.21 per gallon, which is an increase of 37 percent compared to April 2009 when California diesel prices were lower at $2.34 per gallon. Diesel consumption generally follows economic activity and is especially closely related to construction and transportation of goods.

The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors. The figures reported monthly are net consumption that includes BOE audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and State Controller’s Office refunds.

Figures for May 2010 are scheduled to be available at the end of August. All monthly, quarterly, and annual figures can be viewed at: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.

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 $48 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.