(The Center Square) – U.S. demand for gasoline, diesel, and other transportation fuels dropped sharply last week, according to federal data released Thursday, continuing a months-long trend of falling domestic consumption as record-high retail prices squeeze consumer pocketbooks and strain the trucking industry.
Weekly data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that total petroleum products supplied to domestic markets—a key indicator of overall fuel consumption, consumer demand, and economic activity—averaged 20.1 million barrels per day over the last four weeks, down 3.7% compared to the same period last year.
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