Should You Allow Your Ex to Take Your Child on College Visits?
- At September 04, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Legal, Writing Sample
0
This article was written for a law firm that specializes in divorce.
Leaving Home for College
College is an exciting yet terrifying time for a teenager. Selecting which colleges to apply to is likely the first major decision they will make as they step closer to independence and adulthood. A student may decide to attend college out-of-state. Even if they select a college nearby, they may live in student housing. For many, this is the first time they have lived away from their parents and the comforts – and familiarity – of home.
For children of divorce, they are leaving two homes. Even if one parent has sole child custody, presumably the child has at least a room setup in the other parent’s home. In addition to the physical home, a student is leaving behind a routine that gives them stability.
Be Their College Guide
Selecting a college can be as difficult for the parents as it is for the child. It is tempting to pressure the child to attend a nearby school or alma mater. This is the child’s chance to spread their wings. It is important that they are given the opportunity to explore their options. As parents, your role is to guide – not dictate. At some point, the child should select at least their top two to three colleges to visit in person.
Who Gets to Go on The College Tour?
One or both parents should accompany the student on these tours. Your experience helps them ask the right questions. You can assist them in their decision-making process by talking through the positives and negatives of each school. Who gets to go with them on these college tours? Hopefully, divorced parents have forged a civil relationship through the years. They should find a way to share the responsibility.
College tours are time-consuming and, depending on where they are located, traveling to them can be expensive. Divorced parents can share the burden by splitting the time and cost of college visits. Each parent provides a unique perspective on the college experience. The tours are also an opportunity to address their child’s fears about leaving home.
A child considering a parent’s alma mater may want to tour with that parent since they offer a personal perspective on the school. The parent may be able to introduce them to faculty and others on campus.
A Real Live College Tour
We can buy nearly everything online. Unlike a pair of shoes, you can’t box a college back up and return it. But like that pair of shoes, a college may look attractive and sound great in the description on their website, but may not be a good fit. Use the internet for preliminary information gathering only.
A virtual tour of a college is no substitute for exploring the institution in person. Human beings physically process what they see around them – the so-called “gut feeling.” It is a combination of past experience and emotion. Dr. Deepak Chopra, a neuroendocrinologist (he specializes in the study of brain chemistry) explains that “Your gut makes the same chemicals that your brain makes when it thinks.” Walking around the campus, meeting with the admissions counselor, and talking to other students provides information that you can’t get through a computer.
The Select Few
It is not necessary to visit every school on your child’s list. Arrange a tour for each of your child’s top three college choices. This way, your child can decide if they like the schools enough to apply for admission.
Hopefully, you and your ex-spouse have agreed to participate in the college tours. Each parent should document the tour for the other parent. Take some pictures and video. Jotting down notes and impressions will give the other parent a sense of what the college is like. Encourage the child to keep a diary of their experience on each tour. Both parents and the child can compare notes later.
No Second Chances
The prospect of a child heading off to college can stir feelings within each parent. Positive memories of their college days and sometimes regrets of opportunities lost. As parents, it’s tempting to relive or “correct” our past through our children. They share your genes, but they are not you. It is a different time, even if they decide to attend the same school that you did. Remember that attending college is about your child’s dreams and aspirations. This is their chance – not your second chance. (Read When A Child Doesn’t Apply To a Parent’s Alma Mater.) Allow them to have their own, unique college experience.
A College Close to Home
Don’t be surprised if your child decides to attend a nearby college. 72% of college students attend institutions in their home state. The lower tuition for residents is a major reason. However, there are a lot of positives to staying close to home, including:
- The campus may be close enough for the child to live at home. (Saving even more money.)
- For children with chronic medical issues, they can continue to see the doctors who are managing their condition.
- The student can continue to attend family events and religious services. This promotes stability in the child’s life. This is particularly important if the parents recently divorced. It takes at least one to two years for a child to adjust.
You and your ex-spouse may have different views on the value of moving away to college or staying close to home. Follow your child’s lead. Your child may feel more comfortable attending a local community college the first two years. This gives them time to gain the confidence to finish college farther away from home.
The Big Decision
Selecting a college is a big decision. Divorced parents should work together to guide their child through the process. College tours are critical to help your child determine which institution is right for them. This is your chance to spend time with your child before they head off into the adult world.
Resources:
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/campus-visit/
https://plexuss.com/news/article/going-to-college-close-to-home
https://ink.niche.com/child-doesnt-apply-parents-alma-mater/
What You Need to Know Before You Buy or Build a Tiny Home
- At August 31, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Insurance, Real Estate, Writing Sample
0
This article was posted on a website dedicated to all things insurance. The client likes a lot of facts and figures in his articles.
The average home size in the United States has increased over 50% in the span of three decades. From 1,725 square feet in 1983 to 2,598 square feet in 2013. Which is why realtors use the word “cozy” as a euphemism for “small.” That’s changing. More buyers are embracing scaled-down living and buying tiny homes. However, there are some big obstacles to owning one. Here’s what you need to know before you build or buy a tiny home.
Teeny Tiny
Tiny homes are 100-400 square feet. They are usually built on wheels, although some are built on temporary or permanent foundations. Why would anyone want to squeeze their life into a space the size of a walk-in closet? Some want to reduce their environmental footprint. Others want to simplify their lives. For many, it’s about finances:
- 68% of tiny house homeowners don’t have a mortgage.
- 60% have no credit card debt.
- 55% have more savings in the bank than the average homeowner.
Who Wants to Live Tiny?
According to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey, more than half of Americans would consider living in a home under 600 square feet. 63% of millennials say they would consider living in a tiny home. According to the Tiny House Society, 2 out of 5 people over the age of 50 actually do live in them.
Where Do I Sign?
Before you run out and buy or build a tiny home, there are barriers to tiny home living you’ll need to overcome.
Building Codes
Tiny homes need to meet local building codes. Until recently, there was no standardization. The International Residential Code (IRC) just established specific guidelines. States base their local building codes on the IRC. This should help the tiny home sector moving forward.
Where to park it
Living in a tiny home can be a nomadic life. Finding a place to legally park your tiny home can be challenging. It’s considered an RV by most local ordinances. You can hang out in an RV park – but typically for just 2-30 days. Some owners park their tiny home on the lot of a friend or family member, but this can also be against local laws. Owners report that keeping a low-profile is usually enough to avoid eviction.
It’s easier to park your tiny home in a community that allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are permitted structures on the same lot as an individual home. Homeowners find a tiny home is perfect for aging parents, adult children who return home, offices, and even Airbnbs.
Insurance
Insurance companies aren’t quite sure how to classify a tiny home. Is it a mobile home? A house?
You may be able to get Recreation Vehicle (RV) coverage for your tiny home. This insures the house and property while traveling and while parked. The catch is that most insurance companies require that the home is professionally constructed and certified by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). This can leave DIYers out of luck.
If your tiny home is permanently installed in one location, you may qualify for mobile home insurance. Once you hit the road, you’ll need to get a temporary policy to insure the home while it’s in transit. Once you’ve parked, remember to let your insurance company know your new location.
ValuePenguin got quotes from Progressive Insurance for both RV and mobile home coverage in Colorado Springs, CO. Quotes were based on tiny homes between 150 and 300 square feet. The average annual cost overall was $852. RV coverage was more expensive than mobile home coverage – by 59%. Mobile home insurance was about $650 annually. RV insurance about $1,000.
Another option is to get coverage from insurance companies that specialize in policies for tiny homes. You want to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable company.
Tiny Movements
There are more communities embracing — and making allowances for — tiny homes:
- Spur, Texas no longer has a minimum size requirement for tiny homes on foundations.
- Fresno, California will consider tiny homes parked on a property with an existing home a permanent residence.
- Lake Dallas, Texas, now hosts a tiny home village. Owners can park their tiny home on a lot of about 800-1000 square feet for a monthly fee.
A Big, Tiny Life
Tiny living can give you big benefits. Financial security, flexibility, and simplicity. Take the time to research local laws, building codes, and the cost and availability of homeowners insurance before you buy or build. Then take just a few of your worldy possessions and move right in.
Resources:
https://www.tinysociety.co/articles/tiny-house-laws-united-states/
https://www.tinysociety.co/articles/tiny-house-statistics/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/realestate/where-can-you-park-a-tiny-home.html
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2018/tiny-home-laws.html
https://www.valuepenguin.com/tiny-home-insurance
8 Facts Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Title Insurance
- At August 30, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Insurance, Real Estate, Writing Sample
0
This Upwork client manages a website that is all about insurance.
Nearly every homebuyer has purchased title insurance – whether they know it or not. Given that 63% of homeowners have a mortgage, there’s a good chance that if you own a home, you have a lender’s title insurance policy. That protects the lender – not you. Here are 8 facts about title insurance you need to know before you buy a home.
#1 – It’s Not Like Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance protects you from losses that may happen in the future. Title insurance covers losses that may result from title defects discovered after you purchase a property. There are many things than can “cloud” a title. For example, a mechanic’s or tax lien. The title company researches public records to ensure the title is “clear” before you purchase the property. They are indemnifying you for future losses due to defects they may have missed in their research. Or defects that are unknown and arise later, such as an heir who makes a claim on the property.
#2 – A Lender’s Title Policy Doesn’t Cover You
If you are taking out a mortgage on the home, the lender requires that either you or the seller purchase a lender’s title insurance policy. This covers your lender up to the amount of the loan. It will handle legal expenses they will incur defending against a claim. It will also cover losses that result from a successful claim. It does not cover your legal expenses or your losses.
#3 – Title Insurance Is Paid Once
You pay for title insurance at closing. That’s it. It covers you for as long as you – or your heirs – have an ownership interest in the property. According to ValuePenguin, the average cost is $544 for a lender’s policy and $830 for an owner’s policy. Don’t feel bad for the title insurance companies. They only pay out 4-5% of the premiums they collect in claims. (It’s 100% or more for car insurance.) However, since a successful claim could force you to relinquish the property, it’s not a risk you want to take.
#4 – All Title Companies Are Not the Same
Title insurance is a $15 billion-dollar industry. Most of that money is collected by just four companies: First American, Fidelity, Stewart, and Old Republic. (They issue an estimated 85-90% of the policies.) It is safer to buy a policy from a company that is likely to still be in business during the time you own the property. Which is why the Big Four continue to dominate the industry.
#5 – You Are Not Required to Pay for Title Insurance
Typically, the buyer pays for the lender’s title policy and the seller pays for the owner’s title policy. These are courtesies – not laws. Who pays for title insurance is negotiable.
#6 – You Don’t Have to Use the Seller’s Title Company
A property listing will sometimes specify that you use a particular title company. You want to ensure it is reputable. If the title insurance company goes under while you still own the property, your policy is worthless. Typically, if the seller is paying for the title policy, they get to select the company. If you feel uncomfortable with their choice, you may be able to negotiate to use the title company of your choice.
#7 – Title and Escrow Are Not the Same
Although realtors will often use “title” and “escrow” interchangeably, they are not the same thing. An escrow company is a neutral third-party who holds funds, records the deed, and manages the real estate transaction to completion. It just so happens that many title companies also handle escrow.
#8 – A Basic Policy May Not Be Sufficient
The basic title policy does not cover all possible title defects. There are several endorsements that can be purchased to extend coverage. Future issues related to zoning, property access, right-of-way issues, and much more can arise. Talk to the title company about which endorsements may apply to your property and situation.
Protect Yourself
Buying a home is a huge investment. The risk of a title defect is low, but the consequences are high. Protect yourself with an owner’s title policy. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use it.
Resources:
https://smartasset.com/mortgage/buying-a-home-do-you-need-title-insurance
https://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/mortgage/u-s-mortgage-market-statistics-2018/
https://www.gentrylawgroup.com/title-policy-endorsements-get/
https://www.valuepenguin.com/title-insurance/average-cost-of-title-insurance
https://www.valuepenguin.com/2017/05/auto-insurance-rate-hikes-also-likely-2018
Home Staging Tips for Real People
- At August 16, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Real Estate, Writing Sample
0
This was written for a real estate investment website.
Have you ever walked through a model home? They all have some things in common:
- Light and bright
- Smell good
- Tastefully decorated in neutral tones
- Every room has a clear purpose
You can easily walk around the furniture and get to a window. There’s no clutter. You will never see collections of any kind displayed in a cabinet. There are few items, if any, in closets and on shelves.
We Can’t All Be Models
New home builders use professional designers to stage their model homes. They are great for ideas and inspiration, but most people are living in their homes while it’s on the market. Many buyers can’t afford to hire a designer or a staging company. There are many ways to greatly improve the look of your home that require little or no design skills. Follow these tips to get your home looking as good as possible.
Pack It Up
Room by room, create three piles of stuff: Keep, Donate, Sell. Have a garbage bin right outside the door to throw out the junk. Immediately box up items to donate and drive right down to Goodwill and hand it over. The faster you do this, the less time you have to change your mind. Pack up out-of-season clothes to thin out your closet. Stuffed closets make buyers think there isn’t enough storage. Pack up your doll and coffee mug collections. It distracts buyers. You want them to focus on your home.
Store It
It’s easiest to rent a moving box that they drop in your driveway. This way, you can immediately move items into it. The company can pick it up and store it until you’re ready to move. You are not yet fully packing up. Some of your furniture will remain to stage the home. You still need your clothes and the coffeemaker. But the less stuff you have, the faster you can tidy up for showings.
Downsize It
Many people have too much furniture. There is a tendency to buy items that are too big for the space. You want the rooms to have just enough furniture. Less is better. For example, a spare bedroom should have a smaller bed, a nightstand and lamp, and a small dresser. That’s it.
Clean It Up
Have your windows professionally cleaned. Consider hiring someone to help with cleaning. Clean every corner of the home. Blinds, outlets, furniture, light switches, baseboards. Look up. See those cobwebs? Also, make sure your home has a pleasant aroma. [Link to Aroma of Home article]
Repair It
It is better to repair than to offer a credit. Even small problems make buyers think the home has not been well maintained. Hire someone to help. There are websites you can use to get bids on home projects. HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, and Thumbtack are popular sites.
Pretty It Up
Your landscaping can be simple, but it needs to be neat. Keep the lawn mowed, the beds weeded, and the hedges trimmed. Dark mulch in the garden beds always looks good. Power wash the house, walkways, and driveway. Wipe down all the exterior light fixtures. Declutter the exterior in the same way as the interior rooms.
Hide It
Use baskets, hampers, toy boxes and the like to quickly hide things before a showing. This is easier if you have pared down to the essentials.
Kitchens & Baths
They say kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. There should be nothing hanging from a magnet on your refrigerator. Clear everything off the counters. Pack up as much as you can. You want that kitchen to look as big as possible. Even an outdated kitchen looks far better with cleared and clean counters. Do the same for the bathrooms. Don’t forget to clean all the appliances.
Purpose It
Every room should have a clear purpose. A bedroom, an office, a playroom, etc. If you are presently using a room as an office, clear out as much as possible. A filing cabinet or bins can be used to hide your work and office supplies. Remember to lock up anything with personal information (such as bank statements).
You Can Do It
Staging your home will help you sell it faster and for a higher price. It will look good in the online photos which helps draw in buyers. You don’t need to be a designer to declutter, pack, clean, and repair. Your hard work will literally pay off.
Real Estate – Property Description
- At July 26, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Real Estate, Writing Sample
0
A real estate broker asked me to rewrite a description for one of his properties. He wanted me to tell the story of this home in 720 characters, including spaces. This is the maximum amount of characters allowable in the property description section of the listing. Keep in mind that the number of bedrooms, baths, square footage, schools, etc. will be displayed in other sections of the listing.
Before
“Stunning custom 4 bedroom, 5 bath home built by John Askew in Covered Bridge Canyon! Spectacular views surround this home beautifully placed on an estate size lot. Double iron front entry door opens to formal living & dining room with sweeping staircase & Juliet balcony. Spacious kitchen includes granite counters, stainless appliances & island with built-in wine fridge open to family room with stone fireplace. Amazing master suite with sitting area, private patio, separate vanities, jet tub, separate shower & large walk-in closet. Study, game room, balcony, wood floors & more! Resort style backyard features: outdoor living area, pool & spa, stocked pond w lighted fountain & multiple patio areas. Aledo ISD!”
After
Quaint covered bridges and rolling hills add to the tranquility of this peaceful Forth Worth neighborhood. Live happily in an elegant John Askew custom home nestled on 1+ acres of park-like land. An Askew residence is a solidly built home with high end finishes. That’s why they’re found in the finest neighborhoods. This home boasts hand-forged iron work on the entry door and staircase. Artful tile surrounds the master bath’s raised jetted tub. Cook gourmet dinners in your chef’s kitchen. Or call the caterer and throw a pool party in the expansive backyard. Spend evenings soaking in the jacuzzi and enjoying the lake view. Covered Bridge Canyon—fine country living close to the excitement of downtown. Pure heaven.
Big Bertha – Slow and Steady Wins the Race
- At July 26, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Construction, Writing Sample
0
This article was written for a construction magazine. It was a complex article to write because it merged history, project management, and construction equipment into one piece. It also touched lightly on the controversy over the project without being political.
*****
Big construction requires big ideas, big money – and mammoth equipment. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) proposed a project back in 2009 to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Their big idea was to dig a tunnel under the city of Seattle. The equipment needed to do this didn’t exist. WSDOT needed a tunnel boring machine (TBM) massive enough to breakthrough 1.7 miles of rock and soil 200 feet below a populous city. A Japanese company, Hitachi Zosen Sakai Works, built the machine that was ultimately named after the 1920s Seattle mayor Bertha Knight Landes. The TBM measured 57 feet in diameter and weighed more than 6,559 tons. The 326-foot long TBM cost $80 million. Given her size (the TBM; not the mayor), Bertha came to be known as “Big Bertha.” Before Bertha, Becky was the biggest and baddest TBM around. She was used to divert part of the Niagara river to a hydroelectric plant in Canada. Becky had a 45-foot cutting head and weighed “just” 4,000 tons.
The Fabulous Fifties
Back in the mid-1930s, it was the Alaskan Way Viaduct that was the big idea to solve Seattle’s growing traffic problem.
In early 1950, work began on the viaduct. It opened to traffic in 1953. By 1959 the Battery Street Tunnel and an extension to the viaduct were completed.
A 3.4-mile-long freeway was built south of the West Seattle Bridge and headed north to the downtown waterfront. The freeway begins as a standard surface road and ramps up to a double-decker viaduct that comprises about half of the thoroughfare. The upper tier runs north; the lower tier runs south. Eventually, traffic moves into the Battery Street Tunnel. With the tunnel, the total route is 3.8 miles. A relatively short way to travel, but incredibly complex.
The Earthquake Reveal
There’s nothing like a natural disaster to reveal the flaws in a structure. In 2001, the 6.8 Nisqually earthquake damaged the viaduct. Warnings from engineers in the 1990s that the viaduct would not likely withstand a 7.5 magnitude quake had been ignored. Years were spent debating whether to repair, replace, or eliminate the viaduct. Well before Nisqually, the roadways in and out of downtown Seattle were stressed by increasing traffic. When the viaduct was built in the 1950s, it was estimated that 65,000 cars a day would travel on its roadways. In the early 2000s, it was handling an average of 110,000 cars a day.
In contrast, the SR 99 tunnel can handle about a 9.0-magnitude earthquake. All equipment in the tunnel has gone through a seismic analysis. Geotechnical and structural engineers agree that being in the tunnel during an earthquake is your safest bet as the seismic waves are greatest above the surface. Tunnels, with the help of the joints between its rings, move with the soil while above-ground structures sway to and fro. Moreover, when the earthquake is over, the tunnel will remain watertight. This allows people to safely evacuate.
Back to Bertha
Since Bertha was built in Japan, she could not be shipped fully assembled to the United States. In April 2013, Bertha arrived in 41 pieces and was reassembled at the bottom of an 80-foot deep, concrete-lined pit on the waterfront.
Bertha is deceiving from the outside. Inside, she has catwalks, ladders, and stairs. There is a control room and even a pair of break rooms. Bertha is highly automated – it only takes about two dozen workers to keep her moving. But it takes thousands of feet of cables and pipes to supply Bertha with the power, water, and conditioner she needs.
Bertha’s cutterhead covers the entire front of the machine. The cutterhead alone weighed 2,000 tons. It has 260 steel teeth that break up soft soil. The soil moves through gaps inside the cutterhead. Some teeth rotate so that the right tooth is matched with the right task, such as grinding up big boulders. The cutterhead rotates up to 1.2 rpm using a 18,600-kW electrical system. The machine moves approximately 35 feet a day.
How much water is in the soil affects Bertha’s ability to move forward. If there isn’t enough water, the machine can break up the soil by injecting it with a mix of water and a soapy conditioner. Of course, if there’s too much water the cutterhead cranks away, but to no avail. The liquid mud prevents it from moving at all.
A Challenging Environment
Although Bertha didn’t have to bore through solid rock, she had an environment as much – if not more – challenging. Over hundreds of thousands of years, Seattle developed in such a way that eight types of soil formed the ground under the city center. Worse, since the project was near the waterfront, Bertha was operating below the waterline. She had to bore her way through 10 geological zones and come out of a hillside where the soil is very dry.
It gets worse. After well over a century of building, Seattle was a tangle of foundations, pilings, cellars, and sewage lines. Not to mention railway, road, and pedestrian tunnels. Bertha could not begin her journey until old deposits of fill soils were removed. Areas were strengthened so Bertha could do her work without destroying everything around her.
Under Pressure
For Bertha to move the excavated soil where it belonged, the cutterhead was pressurized up to 5.6 atmospheres. This kept the soil slurry in the cutterhead until it was removed. The amount of pressure had to be enough to keep slurry from churning away inside the cutterhead and causing the front face of the tunnel to fall in. With too much pressure, the machine would push a bunch of slurry ahead of itself. The pressure had to be maintained. When the cutterhead needed to be serviced, workers must dove through an airlock and worked inside a pressurized bubble within the cutterhead.
This huge TBM used a 3-foot diameter steel tube to allow the slurry to move safely through it via an Archimedean screw onto a conveyor belt. This tiny tube prevented the slurry from blasting into the digging machine with five atmospheres of pressure behind it. The soil was moved back to the end of the tunnel out to a barge on a nearby pier.
To Shield and Protect
Bertha’s shield was part of her power. This cylindrical hull at the front of the TBM allowed Bertha to move forward by holding up the sides of the tunnel wall. The shield protected her – and the workers – from muck and water.
56 hydraulic jacks formed a ring inside the shield. This pushed Bertha forward as she cut by pressing against the reinforced concrete walls lined along the previously bored section of the tunnel. The wall is comprised of two-foot thick concrete panels. As Bertha slowly inched forward, other jacks aligned and steered the shield.
The lining rings consist of 10 concrete panels. Each ring weighs an astounding 360,000 pounds and is lined with rubber gaskets to keep water out. Behind each panel is forced grouting. This stabilizes the tunnel. Some of the work was automated: A pair of robotic erector arms collected panels from an electric tram. It then placed them against the inner wall of the steel shield. The two arms enabled Bertha to lay down panels at double the speed compared to other machines.
Inside the shield was the control room. Workers monitored and guided Bertha and looked out for any problems that may have arisen. For example, a particularly large boulder may have had to be broken down manually. Or, they may have had to respond quickly to shifting earth.
Working Inside a Giant Machine
The SR 99 project has required legions of workers from many disciplines from truck drivers to engineers. In a project this complex, it’s critical to account for every person. Before starting their shift, each worker picksx up a metal tag that tracked their entering and leaving the tunnel.
During the time Bertha was tunneling, she would push forward, then stop to build the outer wall. This was done one ring at a time. A tunnel ring is comprised of 10 segments, each weighing about 18 tons. An enormous suction vacuum lifted and placed each segment. It played a different tune while in motion to alert nearby workers. Each segment was leveled with a hand tool and secured using a bolt and drill.
The employee restrooms and a kitchen were located inside Bertha’s trailing gear, which rested on huge rollers.
What Could Stop Bertha?
Bertha started boring in July 2013 with an estimated completion date for the tunnel of December 2015. About four months into the project, Bertha was taken offline. At first, the workers believed she had hit a steel pipe. (The pipe was installed in 2002 to measure groundwater around the viaduct.) Turns out that damage to portions of her main bearing seal system caused the bearing to overheat. It took two years to dig a recovery pit so the cutterhead could be lifted and repaired.
Even the red Mammoet tower crane brought in to pick her up encountered problems. The tower gantry planned for the operation was to rest on piles used for stabilizing the tunnel. But the piles were not designed to support a crane of any height. The risk was that uneven distribution could destabilize the tower gantry. The design of the gantry was in some ways as innovative as Bertha herself. It could slide and tilt lifted objects. 48 hydraulic cylinders were used to evenly disperse the load. It was the first gantry full supported by hydraulics.
In December 2015, work resumed. Unfortunately, the project was further delayed when a tethered barge in Elliott Bay damaged piers. The barge, loaded with excavated dirt, started to lean over. To avoid damaging the conveyer that moves the dirt from the tunnel to the dock, workers set the barge adrift. The barge hit a nearby pier and terminal, which damaged the barge and the dock. To make things really interesting, a sinkhole opened up near the site.
All tunnel work was halted in January 2016. Ultimately, citing safety concerns, Governor Inslee ordered maintenance and inspections. Finally, work resumed a couple of months later. Bertha completed tunnel boring in April of 2017.
Beyond Bertha
Replacing the viaduct with the tunnel is just the first step in a much larger construction project.
Removing the Alaskan Way Viaduct
The Alaskan Way Viaduct must be removed. First, it’s considered an eyesore by many. It’s also a safety hazard as it was not built to withstand a major earthquake. Its removal paves the way for Seattle’s Waterfront Program.
Removal of the viaduct began earlier this year and is expected to take several months. (Track the project’s progress here: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/demolition/tracker) Once the viaduct removal is complete, the area will be restored and turned over to the City of Seattle’s Waterfront Seattle Program. In addition to the demolition of the viaduct, a new temporary pedestrian bridge will be built.
The viaduct is removed frame by frame beginning with the upper deck. Crews will use impact hammers to remove the roadway deck. Then, hydraulic munchers remove the supporting girders and columns. Some pieces of the viaduct will be lifted and removed with cranes. Finally, the viaducts foundations are removed and the site is restored.
The (Not So) Mighty Seawall
The original seawall was built between 1916 and 1934. The 20,000 old growth timber piles proved inadequate against rising tides and population. The Seattle Seawall Project shored up the structure. Although the new seawall is designed to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis, the SR 99 tunnel has a backup plan. Should a tsunami take place during very high tide (an event likely to occur only once in 6,000 to 24,000 years), Washington state’s early warning system and the tunnel’s real-time traffic technology kick in. Vehicles will be stopped from entering the tunnel. Drains and pumps will immediately remove any water from within the tunnel at a rate of 300 gallons per minute.
A Better Tunnel
Safe and Sound
In the rare event of an evacuation, the SR 99 tunnel has doors every 650 feet leading out to safe areas to either take cover or exit the tunnel. There is a pathway that runs along the entire tunnel equipped with ventilation and fire suppression systems. 300 cameras provide tunnel operators with real-time information 24/7.
The roadways have eight-foot wide shoulders, allowing ample space for vehicles to safely pull over in the case of an emergency. It also provides a pathway for emergency vehicles.
The tunnel itself is environmentally friendly. Three different types of fans keep fresh air flowing through the tunnel. They remove fumes from engines. In fact, it’s the vehicles themselves that push fresh air through the tunnel. Monitoring stations can detect increasing particulates in the air and jet fans are automatically activated to provide additional air flow.
In Case of Emergency
If there is a fire, eight huge extraction fans pull smoke out through vents in the tunnel wall. Simultaneously, the jet fans push fresh air inside. Smoke is ultimately pushed out of the tunnel’s ventilation stacks on top of the operations buildings located at both ends of the tunnel. Maintenance fans provide pressurization to prevent smoke from engulfing the tunnel’s emergency exit area.
The emergency walkways have their own ventilation and fire control systems. These run parallel to both the upper and lower tunnel roadways. Concrete walls and fire-resistant doors keep the emergency areas separate from the roadways. For those travelers who cannot use the stairwells to escape, there are “refuge” areas that will accommodate them. Emergency phones and cameras allow first responders to help those waiting in the refuge areas.
Should there be a power failure, generators power critical tunnel systems.
The Work is Never Done
Completion of the SR 99 tunnel is just the beginning. There is a lot more work to be done.
Closing the Battery Street Tunnel
The mechanical and electrical systems were removed. Now contractor Kiewit will close down the old Battery Street Tunnel with the concrete rubble from the viaduct demolition. Steel rebar was removed from the rubble and the concrete was crushed into small pieces. Funnels are used to send the rubble inside the tunnel. A vibratory roller is used to compact the fill. The tunnel is not completely filled up – about seven feet of space will be left at the top.
On the Waterfront
The waterfront above the tunnel should be more peaceful. A promenade 12 to 40 feet wide will be built and beautified with trees and flowers. Visitors can safely ride on a private bike trail. Overlook Walk is a public path that will connect the waterfront to Pike Place Market. It will provide expansive views of Elliott Bay and the city skyline. (See a complete list of projects, budget, and schedule: https://waterfrontseattle.org/budget-schedule.)
Pay Day
Later this year, commuters will pay a toll to enter the tunnel. This will pay off the construction debt and fund a maintenance account. It will also reduce the tunnel traffic by more than fifty percent.
Dismantling a Giant
It made sense in 2015 to lift Bertha above ground in one piece to be repaired. They needed Bertha whole then – it was worth the cost and time to provide the land, ground reinforcement, and assembly the Mammoet crane required. When her work was done in 2017, she was broken up into pieces that would never again be reassembled. The cutting disc was carved into eight sections. Then each section was chopped into smaller pieces – under the 20-ton maximum weight allowable to haul her away truckload by truckload on Seattle’s city streets. In order to ensure a balanced lift, engineers located the center of mass for each steel slice to determine where fastening loops should be attached.
Using torches, scaffolds, and power tools, it took months to dismantle Bertha.
As much of Bertha as possible will be re-used, including 24 electric motors, movable arms, and miles of hoses, wires, and conveyer belts. The rest of Bertha will be melted down and recycled. The remaining pieces of her cutting head were taken to a scrap-metal yard. The Port of Seattle held onto a few chunks to display to the public.
Lessons Learned
Despite some delays and cost overruns, the SR 99 tunnel project can certainly be called a success. On-site innovations by equipment manufacturers, engineers, and workers will improve the way large construction projects are handled in the future.
Resources:
https://www.seattlemag.com/news-and-features/tunnel-vision-360-look-bertha-underground
https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/tunnelsafety
https://www.mammoet.com/cases/project-bertha/
https://www.enr.com/blogs/15-evergreen/post/14092-damaged-main-bearing-seals-cause-of-bertha-overheating-shutdown
https://newatlas.com/bertha-boring-machine-seattle/48862/
https://komonews.com/news/sr-99-tunnel/take-a-drive-down-memory-lane-with-the-historical-story-of-the-alaskan-way-viaduct
https://waterfrontseattle.org/seawall
https://komonews.com/news/sr-99-tunnel/from-the-vault-alaskan-way-viaduct-opens
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/a-look-back-at-the-alaskan-way-viaduct-as-its-demise-nears-and-the-new-highway-99-tunnel/
https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library/advisories-and-updates/know-before-you-go-the-sr-99-tunnel%E2%80%99s-new-ramp-intersections
What You Must Know Before You Hire a Heavy Hauler
- At July 26, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Construction, Writing Sample
0
This is another example of an article I wrote on a topic I knew absolutely nothing about when I started. A writer doesn’t necessarily need to be a subject matter expert to write a compelling article. The client’s feedback? “Great job on the heavy haul article.” Then he gave me an assignment on foundation drilling rigs.
*****
Moving stuff isn’t generally a big deal. Even moving a piano can be accomplished fairly easily. You call a piano mover, they come and carefully disassemble it. Then, a few strong people pick it up, put it in a truck, and take it to its new destination and carefully reassemble it. But a 12-ton back hoe ain’t a piano. Transporting one requires a lot of coordination, paperwork, and most importantly – expertise. For construction equipment and materials, you may need to hire a heavy hauler.
Do You Need a Heavy Hauler?
What you’re moving may be big and heavy – but not enough to require you to hire a heavy hauler. Get the specific weight and dimensions of the load. You may not need a special truck or permits.
Weight Limitations
As trucks and the loads they carried got bigger and heavier, states needed to implement weight limitations to protect roads and bridges. In 1975, Congress enacted the Bridge Formula. Generally, it sets weight limitations based on the type of axle as follows:
- Steer axles: Up to 12,000 pounds
- Single axles: Up to 20,000 pounds
- Drive axles: Up to 34,000 pounds
- Tandem axles: Up to 34,000 pounds
For loads beyond these limits, special heavy haul equipment with additional axles is necessary. The formula is used to limit the weight-to-length ratio by adding axles or increasing the distance between axles. This prevents the truck from over-stressing bridge members and possibly causing the bridge to collapse.
Not for Nothing
These weight limits are serious. And usually posted on the bridge. Recently, an historic bridge in North Dakota (built in 1906) collapsed under the weight of 25 tons of dry beans. The sign on the bridge the trucker blew by listed the weight limit as 14 tons. An overload citation of $11,400 was issued. Which is nothing compared to the million dollars it will cost to replace the bridge.
Safety
Federal law mandates certain travel accommodations and requirements, including:
- Oversized Load Banners
- Safety Flags
- Specialty Lights
- Pilot Cars
- Police Escort
The heavy hauler should know exactly what is needed to meet the requirements. Additionally, you should take the time to check the company’s safety record. Accidents do indeed happen, but they should be few and far between.
Route Limitations
The heavy hauler you hire must know the specific route that meets all the rules of all the roads. Think about it: Too high and you can’t get under a bridge. Too heavy and you can’t travel over the bridge. Too wide and you can only travel with an escort vehicle on certain roads during certain hours. Every state, county, city, and municipality has developed different rules over the decades. Break them and it will cost you.
Required Permits
If you are crossing state, county, or city lines, you may need different permits. It gets complicated. For example, in Ohio, special consideration is given to the type of load. They will provide a 90-Day Regional heavy haul permit for steel or aluminum coils where the GVW of the vehicle and load is under 120,000 pounds. In Louisiana, any oversized and / or overweight load cannot drive through any of the tunnels in the state. The heavy hauler must know these details.
Tracking the Shipment
You want to know where your load is as it moves from Point A to Point B. The last thing you want to do is call the hauling company so they can call the driver then wait for them to call you with status. These days, any heavy hauler should use GPS for tracking shipments.
Insurance
What insurance is offered? Don’t cheap out on insurance! If anything happens to that load, the cost to you is beyond the actual equipment and materials. Job delays cost money.
Price
Obviously, you need to know the cost. You should get a few quotes. But price should not be your primary consideration. There’s usually a reason you’re paying less. You know, like a less experienced company with a spotty safety record. You don’t want to lose money in the long run because of a lost or damaged shipment. Insurance will cover the item, but not the financial hit to the project.
Basic Company Research
Select 4-5 companies to research. You’ll get quotes from the top 2-3. Try to get referrals from others in your industry. Don’t rely on the reference. Check it out.
Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org/)
- How long has the company been in business?
- Number and type of complaints. If any, how were they handled?
Reviews
- Testimonials on their website
- Public reviews on Yelp, YP.com.
Safety Record
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) manages a website to research safety records: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx. All you need is the DOT number, MC/MX number or company name. Use of the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system is free.
The Heavy Hauler Checklist
Use this checklist to ask the right questions. This information will help you make an informed choice on which heavy hauler to hire:
- Is your company insured and bonded?
- What is the best route?
- What kind of truck will your use?
- How will you track my shipment? Will I get automatic status? How often?
- Do you specialize in transporting my load? When’s the last time you moved a load like mine? Can I get a reference? Then contact them.
- What memberships and certifications do you have?
- What type of insurance do you offer? How much does it cost?
- What is the total cost of my shipment? Have the company list out all fees, taxes, etc. When is payment due?
- How is your safety record? When’s the last time there was an accident? Then look it up. If they lied, move on.
Whatever agreements you make on price, route, and other details of the job, be sure to get it all in writing!
You Can Do It
Moving heavy equipment and materials is complex. But companies do it every day. To find a reputable and competent heavy haul company, do some basic research, ask the right questions, and don’t focus solely on price. Select a quality company and your stuff will make it from Point A to Point B safely and securely.
Helpful Resources:
https://oversize.io/regulations/axle-weight-calculator
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/brdg_frm_wghts/#table
Article Resources:
http://heavyhaultrucking.com/hiring-a-heavy-haul-trucking-company/
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Federal_Bridge_Gross_Weight_Formula
https://moffittservices.com/heavy-haul-services-need-know/
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/brdg_frm_wghts/
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/company-safety-records
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/too-heavy-big-rig-collapses-100-year-old-bridge-north-n1032676
https://www.reference.com/home-garden/much-backhoe-weigh-a1b0087fec755340
http://www.accuratetowingservice.com/hiring-heavy-hauling-company/
5 Best Routers for Cox in 2019
- At July 26, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Technology, Writing Sample
0
This article is a router buying guide for non-technical people. The Upwork client gave me a 5-star review with this comment: “Allison did a great job writing for us and was extremely polite and professional. I would happily rehire her for future projects!”
*****
You just moved into your new place. You got the 75” 4K TV and you’re going with Cox Communications for your internet and cable service. You put a lot of thought into which channel package to choose. Definitely important. But there’s another critical choice you need to make. Which WiFi router should you get? We’ll review five routers that work best with Cox Communications. Select any one of these routers and you’ll be ready to binge watch your fave shows.
Why Should I Buy My Own Router for Cox Cable?
It may make sense for you to buy or rent a router directly from Cox. You can be sure that it’s certified by Cox Communications and, if anything goes wrong, it’s the company’s responsibility to deal with it. But you’ll pay top dollar for it – and it may not be the latest and greatest technology. Rent instead of buy and the router will really cost you. Anywhere from $6.99 to $9.99 a month plus tax on top of your regular bill. It starts to add up.
Buy your own and, in most cases, you’ll start to see the return on your investment after the first year. Most vendors have a return policy and offer an optional warranty. So, you can save money and have peace of mind.
Router or Modem?
Before you run out and buy a router, let’s explain the difference between a router and a modem.
Modems
In order for your computers to communicate with the internet, you must have a modem. The signal used by Cox to move data from the internet into your home cannot be directly understood by your computer and other devices. The modem acts as a translator between the internet and your devices. The modem you select must specifically work with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), in this case Cox.
Routers
The router connects to the modem and creates a private wireless network within your home. This allows all of your devices – televisions, printers, phones, laptops, and computers to access the internet. The router can also connect a wireless security system, smart speakers like the Amazon Echo, and other smart products like lights and thermostats.
Combo Modem / Router
You can buy a device that is both a modem and a router. This saves some space and may save money. We recommend you keep these devices separate. This gives you more flexibility as technology inevitably evolves over time.
Wi-Fi Mesh Network
In very large homes, or in homes that have a complex layout, the signal from the router may weaken as it travels farther away from it. With a mesh network, additional “nodes” are added to areas of the home to boost the signal. The signal moves from the router through the nodes. The nodes communicate with each other, so the signal does not weaken. Think of moving buckets of water from one place to another. You could have 10 people walking to and from the source of water separately – or 10 people can form a chain and pass the bucket from one to the next. It’s faster and more efficient.
What Type of Modem Do I Need?
Cox has a list of certified modems that meet the requirements of their different packages. (https://www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-certified-cable-modems.html) You’ll need a Cox certified modem. The vendor will list which cable companies their modem is compatible with. You can check Cox’s list of certified modems online. Since the list isn’t always current, we recommend you call Cox before you buy to make sure the modem will work with their service.
Here are the key modem specifications and what they mean for you.
DOCSIS
DOCSIS stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification. It is an international telecommunications standard. This is what enables the cable companies to provide high-bandwidth data transfer over a coaxial cable TV system. Cox requires all new customers to have at least DOCSIS 3.0. DOCSIS 3.0 works with both the Ultimate and Preferred 100 plans. DOCSIS 3.1 is the latest version and Cox requires it for their Gigablast plan. DOCSYS 3.1 will work with any of the plans.
Number of Channels
Think of channels as the number of lanes in a highway. A 32×8 modem uses 32 “lanes” to move data down from the internet and 8 lanes to move data back up to the internet. The number of download channels is always much larger as most people are streaming data (like a movie) down to their devices. Uploading, for example a YouTube video, is less data intensive. Cox Preferred 100 plan uses 8×4, Ultimate requires 16×4, and Gigablast needs 32×8. You can use a 32×8 for the Preferred 100 and Ultimate plans, the service just can’t take advantage of the extra data throughput.
What Type of Router Do I Need?
You need a router that can handle the Cox Communications internet plan that you choose. The service you select depends on how many devices you have, what types of devices they are, and how many will be used at the same time. You’ll also need to factor in the size of your home and complexity of the layout. For example, a 3-story home or one with a lot of walls needs a more powerful router.
These are the key attributes that impact whether your router can handle the internet speed you require.
802.11xx Standard
802.11 is a standard protocol that was created for wireless networks. Later revisions can handle more bandwidth. Cox recommends a router compatible with the 802.11ac standard. One new feature of this revision is beamforming. Beamforming allows for a more reliable connection in crowded areas (like a major city) by targeting their signals in the specific direction of receiving antennas. This is an optional feature that may or may not be included with the router.
Number of Radio Bands
A single band router gives your devices access to the slower 2.4GHz radio frequency. Dual band routers give you access to both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. (You select which one to use in the setup.) With simultaneous dual band, the router puts out signals to both at the same time. 5GHz handles more data than the 2.4GHz and is faster. Older devices will use the 2.4GHz. A tri-band router has one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands. This allows the router to split the load between the two 5GHz bands. Cox recommends dual band if you mainly use the internet for wireless devices.
MU-MIMO
MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output) is a technology that splits up the available bandwidth into individual streams so that multiple users can experience similar speeds for their devices. Older technology worked on a “first come, first serve” basis.
Other Considerations
- Security
- Ease of setup
- App for remote management
- Parental controls
Top 5 Routers for Cox Communications Internet
Our recommendations are based on the different types of packages offered by Cox.
Preferred 100 – Arris SBG6700-AC
If you are household of 1-2 people who basically watch one TV, have a shared wireless printer, one or two laptops, and a couple of smart phones, the Preferred 100 plan will likely meet your needs. It offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 10Mbps. Assuming you live in a home under 2000 square feet with 1-2 stories, to save money and space, we’re going to break our rule and recommend a combo modem / router. The specifications on the Arris SBG6700-AC include DOCSIS 3.0, 8×4 channels, 802.11ac compatibility, beamforming, and simultaneous dual-band. Price is about $60. Detailed Specifications
Ultimate – TP-Link AC1900 or Netgear R7000P Nighthawk
The Ultimate plan will work fine for your average family of four with a typical number of devices. (A couple of TVs, a few laptops, a basic security system, and a half-dozen smartphones and tablets.) It offers download speeds up to 300Mbps and upload speeds up to 30Mbps.
The TP-Link AC1900 has a lot of power for under $100. 802.11ac compatibility, MU-MIMO, beamforming, and simultaneous dual-band. Also includes parental controls and a smartphone app for remote management. Detailed Specifications.
For under $200, the Netgear R7000P Nighthawk can handle up to 35 devices in a home up to 2000 square feet. Netgear offers versions that handle more devices and larger homes. Detailed Specifications.
Gigablast – Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 or Netgear Orbi AC3000 Mesh Network
The Gigablast plan is for larger households with many devices being used simultaneously. Perfect for serious gamers or a home-based business. Download speed is up to 1Gbps. (10x more than the Preferred 100 plan.)
Netgear Nighthawk RAX80
For about $300 you can get ready for the future. The Netgear Nighthawk uses the latest 802.11ax standard. It can handle speeds far beyond Gigablast. When Cox catches up, you won’t need to upgrade your router. MU-MIMO, beamforming, and simultaneous dual-band. It is backwards compatible with 802.11ac. Detailed Specifications.
Netgear Orbi AC3000
The Netgear Orbi AC3000 mesh network is for very large homes. The base router plus one satellite costs about $300 and covers 5000 square feet. Add satellites for more coverage. It’s 802.11ac tri-band and can handle download speeds up to 3Gbps. Easy setup, parental controls, and app for remote management. Detailed Specifications.
Wrap Up
Selecting the best router for Cox Communications is a balance between features and price. First, make sure you are using a Cox certified modem. Use the router we recommend for your Cox package and you’re good to go.
Sources:
https://www.lifewire.com/difference-between-modem-and-router-4159854
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/292110/the-best-wireless-routers
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-certified-cable-modems.html
https://www.lifewire.com/best-secure-routers-4140134
https://bluegadgettooth.com/best-router-for-cox/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-buy-cable-modem,review-5607.html
https://stickystatic.com/tech/cox-modem
https://highspeedexperts.com/home-networking/what-is-docsis-and-why-does-it-matter/
https://www.lifewire.com/802-11ac-in-wireless-networking-818284
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/
https://hothardware.com/reviews/netgear-nighthawk-ax8-wi-fi-6-router-review
https://www.techspot.com/products/routers/netgear-rbk50-rbr50-orbi-ac3000-tri-band-wifi.153730/
Salt of the Earth: The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve
- At July 14, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Energy, Writing Sample
0
This article was ghostwritten for the editor of Oilman Magazine.
The U.S. SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve) is an oil reserve created in response to the 1973-1974 oil embargo. America’s dependence on OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) revealed the extent to which those countries could potentially influence United States foreign policy. Over the decades, U.S. energy consumption and production has changed. Today, the reasons the United States uses the SPR has also changed.
The Embargo
In October 1973, Arab oil producers within OPEC retaliated against the United States’ support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War, when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. They placed an embargo on oil. This prohibited the OPEC members from exporting oil to the U.S. OPEC also threatened to cut oil production by 25 percent. Their goal was two-fold: 1. To leverage America’s dependence on foreign oil to weaken U.S. support of Israel and 2. To raise the price of oil. One goal was achieved: By December, the price of oil increased 400 percent. But, long lines at America’s gas pumps did not change the Nixon administration’s strong support of Israel.
The Promise of Peace
The Nixon administration and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger simultaneously held negotiations for peace and an end to the oil embargo. The First Egyptian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement reached by the parties in early 1974 was enough to get the Arab members of OPEC to lift the embargo. Unfortunately, the peace deal was never finalized.
Strategic Storage
At the end of 1975, President Ford signed the EPCA (Energy Policy & Conservation Act). This created an emergency petroleum reserve. In April of 1977, The U.S. government bought salt caverns on the Gulf Coast to store the petroleum. Construction of the storage facilities began in June of 1977. By July, 412,000 barrels of Saudi Arabian light crude were delivered. The act approved up to 1 billion barrels of oil for storage. However, as of September of 2018, the maximum capacity of the SPR is 713.5 million barrels.
Salt of the Earth
Storing the reserve oil in salt mines costs a lot less than building and maintaining above-ground storage. The oil is connected to the commercial oil transport network through interstate pipelines. This reaches about half of the U.S. oil refineries. The oil can also be transported by ship or barge to other refineries.
There are 60 caverns in the SPR distributed between four locations along the Gulf Coast. There are two facilities in Louisiana (Bayou Choctaw and West Hackberry) and two in Texas (Big Hill and Bryan Mound). Each cavern can hold from 6 million to 35 million barrels. The typical cavern is 200 feet in diameter and 2,000 feet high. Enough to store 10 million barrels.
Self-Healing
The caverns are created by drilling a well into a salt formation and dissolving the salt by injecting huge amounts of fresh water. This process of solution mining requires seven gallons of water to carve out space for each barrel of oil.
At depths of 2,000 to 4,000 feet, extreme geologic pressures make the salt walls of a cavern hard as rock. If any cracks develop, they will close on their own. In addition to the ability to heal itself, the subsurface temperature differential keeps the crude circulating. This maintains the quality of the oil.
It Takes Another War
Only the president can order the drawdown of the SPR. President George H. W. Bush was the first to use the SPR to stabilize world oil markets during the Persian Gulf War on January 16, 1991. 17.3 million barrels were sold to 13 different companies.
Use of the SPR is defined in the EPCA. Three types of drawdowns were anticipated:
- Full Drawdown. A full drawdown of the petroleum reserves may be ordered by the president in several scenarios, including shortages that are likely to negatively impact the nation’s safety or economy.
- Limited drawdown. A partial drawdown of under 30 million barrels. This is limited to 60 days. However, there must be more than 500 million barrels still left in reserve.
- Test Sale or Exchange. Drawdowns and distribution of crude oil up to 5 million barrels may be carried out by the Secretary of Energy.
Safety Net
Test sales are periodically conducted to ensure that the SPR is ready to react to a drawdown in the event of an emergency. Exchange contracts are typically used after a natural disaster. It is similar to a loan. The recipient agrees to return the same type and amount of crude – plus additional premium barrels by a certain date. The additional barrels are similar to paying interest. For example, refineries entered into exchange contracts after Hurricane Harvey impacted their operations in 2017.
For the first time, the SPR will be used as a way to pay the bills. The 2018 budget deal signed by President Trump mandates that 100 million barrels of oil be sold by 2027. The proceeds will be used to help reduce the deficit.
An Abundance of Oil
America’s dependence on foreign oil has reduced considerably since the 1970s. Consumption is generally stable and U.S. crude oil production has been increasing since 2008. In 2005, net imports were 12 million barrels a day. By 2017, that number was only 4 million. A whopping 67 percent decrease. It is expected that net imports of U.S. crude oil and petroleum products will decline to zero in the late 2020s. Soon after, the U.S. will become a net exporter of these products. A 90-day reserve is still required to respond to supply disruptions. Particularly since the projection is for the U.S. to again be a net importer of crude oil between 2040 and 2050.
Risk Mitigation
Although it didn’t result in a Middle East peace agreement, the 1973-1974 oil embargo was in some ways a blessing. It forced the U.S. to mitigate the risks associated with an oil shortage and to find ways to increase domestic oil production. The development of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has kept the U.S. more secure during wars and natural disasters. The life blood thousands of feet below the Earth’s surface.
When You Should Not Submit a Homeowners Claim
- At February 08, 2019
- By AvivaGittle
- In Insurance, Writing Sample
0
You buy homeowners insurance to cover possible future losses. You want to reduce your risk. But submitting a claim – any claim – is a risk. The insurance companies will punish you for daring to use the policy you paid for.
Once in a Decade
Homeowners submit a claim once every 9-10 years. According to the Insurance Information Institute (iii), wind and hail account for the largest share of claims (2.4%). However, fire and lightening caused the most damage. From 2012 to 2016, the average incurred losses were $50,315. Wind and hail average incurred losses were $8,625. Nearly 83% less paid out in claims.
Drop You Like a Bad Habit
On average, homeowners and renters pay $1,192 a year for insurance. (Based on 2016 numbers.) That does not include flood insurance and any additional riders you may have for, say, jewelry. You are justified in believing that you should be able to submit a claim for any loss. Unfortunately, if you submit too many claims, your insurance company will drop you like a bad habit. In fact, some insurers will drop you after one claim.
We Don’t Want You
Insurance companies, obviously, want to provide insurance to people who have the lowest risk of submitting a claim. If you have filed more than one claim in the last decade, they don’t want you. If the previous owner of your home filed several claims, they don’t want your house. Why? All those claims add up to poor maintenance. If they believe your home is “accident-prone” – due to an old roof or a bad plumbing system – they don’t want to insure it. Or, they will happily insure it for a much higher premium.
How Do They Know?
When you’re getting a quote for homeowners insurance, the agent will ask how many claims you’ve submitted in the past. They already know. Insurance companies use one of two databases to track claims: The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) and the Automated Property Loss Underwriting System (A-PLUS). The database goes back five years. Most insurance companies purge older records.
Get A Clue
If you’re buying a home, insist that the seller provide you with a CLUE report. Protect yourself further by having an insurance contingency. This allows you to get out of the contract if you find you can’t insure the property or the premiums are very high.
Is It Worth It?
Filing one claim can raise your premium by about 10%. A liability claim is more expensive with a premium increase of 14%. File a second claim within that 9- to 10-year period and you could see your premium jump 20%. The size of the claim has little to do with the premium increase. It’s the act of filing a claim that the insurance company objects to. So, if you’re going to file a claim, make sure it’s worth it. Let’s look at two scenarios:
- You pay $1,200 a year for homeowners. You have a water damage claim for $2,000. You have a $500 deductible. The most you’ll get is $1500. Your premium could go up 10% costing $120 more per year. Let’s assume the insurance company doesn’t drop you after one claim. That means you can’t submit another claim for 10 years. Not adjusting for inflation, the additional premium is $1,200. You would net $300 for this claim.
- You have a fire that causes $50,000 in damage. This one’s a no-brainer. Of course you file a claim. However, if you had filed the above claim, your insurance company will drop you and it will be hard to find affordable coverage with two claims on your record.
Aim High
You should get the highest possible deductible you can afford to lower the premium. Unfortunately, some companies put a cap on the deductible. That’s just one variable that impacts the premium, so shop around. It’s possible that the company with the $1,000 max deductible costs less than the one that allows a $5,000 deductible.
Independence
If you are dropped for filing too many claims, work with an independent insurance agent to find affordable coverage. They have access to many different companies. This is more efficient than your calling several companies separately. It helps if you can show that you fixed problems that led to the claims you filed.
Think Twice
Think twice before you file small claims on your homeowners policy. It may cost you more in the long run by having to pay higher premiums. Consider your homeowners policy risk mitigation for big events – like a fire. Then, adjust your coverage to reduce your premium. This way you’re not paying for protection you’ll never use.
Resources:
https://finance.zacks.com/average-homeowner-file-insurance-claims-8387.html
https://www.uphelp.org/pubs/claim-or-not-claim%E2%80%A6that-question-david-shaffer
https://claimsmate.com/how-does-filing-a-homeowners-insurance-claim-affect-insurance-policy-rates/
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/auto-home-insurance-claims-reports/
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/clue-report-real-estate-2866520