The California State Board of Equalization has reported that gasoline and diesel consumption figures for May 2011.

California gasoline consumption declined 4.1 percent in May compared to May last year.

This is the second consecutive month of declines at or over 4 percent.

“High gasoline prices in May continued to impact consumption in California,” said First District Board Member Betty T. Yee. “Californians already experiencing financial stress are particularly vulnerable to high gas prices.”

In California, gasoline consumption in May 2011 was down 4.1 percent to 1.24 billion gallons compared to May 2010’s total 1.29 billion gallons.

The California average price for a gallon of gasoline was up $1.09 to $4.23 in May 2011, a 35 percent increase over May 2010’s average price of $3.14 per gallon.

The national average price of a gallon of gasoline rose $1.07 to $3.96 in May 2011, a 37 percent increase over May 2010’s national average price of $2.89 for a gallon of gasoline.

California’s diesel fuel consumption figures for May 2011 show an increase of 3.9 percent to 213 million gallons compared to May 2010’s total of 205 million gallons.

However, the May 2010 diesel figures included 13.2 million in refunds. After adjusting for the refunds, diesel consumption decreased 2.4 percent in May 2011.

The California average price for a gallon of diesel was up $1.15 to $4.36 in May 2011, a 36 percent increase over May 2010’s average price of $3.21 per gallon of diesel.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of diesel rose 98 cents to $4.05 in May 2011, a 32 percent increase over May 2010’s national average price of $3.07 per gallon of diesel.

Gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes the State Board of Equalization’s audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and the State Controller’s Office refunds.

The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors in California. For all monthly, quarterly and annual fuel reports, visit 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.