Overview

California is a net importer of oil. It produces only about 37.2 percent of the petroleum it uses. In 2007, the state spent nearly $50 billion for gasoline and $9.7 billion for diesel.

Petroleum-based fuels account for 96 percent of the state's transportation needs. The dependence on a single type of transportation makes Californians vulnerable to petroleum price spikes. Transportation is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

The state is now at work developing flexible strategies to reduce petroleum use. It is developing alternative transportation fuels to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Meantime, the demand for gasoline and diesel fuel will continue to rise because of population growth, the lack of mass transit, and the number of sports utility vehicles on California's roads.

Also, jobs and housing continue to become farther apart, increasing the miles traveled by the work force.

Facts & Stats