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Northwestern states’ use of gasoline has been on the decline for the past decade. But according to released today by the Sightline Institute, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia all increased their use of gasoline in 2009.

The reason, according to the report, is low gas prices. Gasoline prices peaked in 2008, with a typical Northwest resident purchasing about 389 gallons per year. In 2009, when gas prices fell, the amount rose 2 percent to 392 gallons, a small but significant increase. With a regional unemployment rate of 9.5 percent, Northwesterners put their cars ahead of their pocketbooks last year. In Oregon, the amount of gas consumed increased from 386 gallons per year per driver in 2008 to 387 in 2009.

Previously, the Northwest saw a 15 percent decline in gasoline use between 1999 and 2008.

The report noted another trend: a decrease in the use of diesel. The report attributed the decrease to a lack of trucking and construction activity, two indicators of a healthy economy.

Aside from environmental concerns about fossil fuel emissions, the report notes that our gasoline habit costs the Northwest billions of dollars each year to import oil from other countries. Imagine if we had those billions to invest in electric vehicles and biofuels.