The authorities are claiming that the country’s fuel consumption has been reduced by 34% since August, largely as a result of the national fuel savings plan that has been in action during this period. Consumption in October is 34% lower than in August, and 34% less when compared to the same month last year, according to the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Hydrocarbons department, quoted in a report in Diario Libre. In 2005, the monthly average rate of fuel consumption between January and August was 128.2 million gallons. In August the figure went up to a high of 140 million. In September fuel consumption went down to 95.3 million gallons, and in October it was further reduced to 92.6 million gallons. In October 2004 the country used 153.1 gallons.