Data cited in editorial for gas consumption incomplete

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 19, 2023

The editorial board’s conclusion that the drop-off in fuel usage in Washington is due to “more efficient vehicles, changes in driving habits, and increasing numbers of hybrid vehicles” is grossly incorrect in its recent editorial regarding a transition from the gas tax to a per-mile fee (“Four failed bills that merit second shot next year,” The Herald, April 15). I’m not taking a position on changes to the gasoline tax either way. However, any such changes should be base on accurate information.

Data reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, cited in the editorial, is incomplete. As can be seen in one table, “sales” dropped off dramatically between 2007 and 2009. At first, I suspected that a refinery had curtailed production. However a footnote in a second table reveals that the data are no longer being reported consistently with that which were reported prior to 2007 or so. In fact, data was not reported at all in some months in 2021. Surely we haven’t become that efficient! It appears that the refiners are purposely no longer reporting accurate data for retail sales; I suspect this is for competitive reasons. Basically, these data have become useless.

I would like to see some further investigation of this and clarification for the public based on what is found. Our legislators should know what the data they are using represent but, I would not expect the general public to follow this sort of issue closely enough to draw accurate conclusions. Your report sounded like great news, but no, not so quick.

John Baker

Mukilteo