SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Board of Equalization on Wednesday released California’s gasoline and diesel consumption figures for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the month of December.

California gasoline consumption increased 1 percent in the fourth quarter and decreased 0.4 percent in December.

Diesel consumption decreased 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter and decreased 5.8 percent in December compared to a year earlier.

“The fourth quarter of last year showed continued upward price activity in California,” said Board Member Betty T. Yee. “The minor upward trend in gasoline consumption in the face of rising prices is consistent with continued signs of economic growth.”

Gasoline consumption increased 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 when Californians consumed 3.69 billion gallons of gasoline compared to the 3.65 billion gallons of gasoline used in the fourth quarter 2009.

The average price of gasoline at the pump in California during the fourth quarter of 2010 was $3.22, a 7 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2009’s average price of $3.01 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline during the fourth quarter of 2010 was $2.94, a 10.5 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2009’s average price of $2.66 per gallon.

In December 2010, gasoline consumption decreased 0.4 percent when Californians used 1.23 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 1.24 billion gallons consumed in December 2009.

The average price of gasoline at the pump in California in December 2010 was $3.30 per gallon, an 11.5 percent increase compared to the gasoline price per gallon of $2.96 in December 2009.

The national average price of gasoline during December 2010 was $3.05 compared to $2.66 in December 2009, which is a 14.7 percent increase.

Diesel consumption decreased 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 when Californians consumed 642 million gallons of diesel compared to 654 million gallons of diesel fuel consumed in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The average price of diesel fuel in California during the fourth quarter 2010 was $3.31, a 13.7 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 when the price per gallon of diesel fuel in California was $2.91.

The national average price of diesel fuel during the fourth quarter of 2010 was $3.15, a 15.0 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2009’s average price of $2.74 per gallon for diesel fuel.

Diesel sold in California during December 2010 totaled 218 million gallons compared to the December 2009 total of 232 million gallons, which is a 5.8 percent decrease.

California diesel prices averaged $3.41 per gallon in December 2010, which is a 17.2 percent increase compared to December 2009’s average price of $2.91 per gallon of diesel fuel.

The national average price of diesel fuel during December 2010 was $3.24, a 17.8 percent increase over the December 2009’s average price of $2.75 per gallon for diesel fuel.

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 January 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of April 2011.

All monthly, quarterly, and annual fuel figures can be viewed at www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.