brakes | Common News Update

Nov202019 by adminNo Comments

California puts brakes on fracking permits in oil crackdown

Technology

California Gov. Gavin Newsom cracked down on oil producers Tuesday, halting approval of hundreds of fracking permits until independent scientists can review them and temporarily banning new wells using another drilling method that regulators believe is linked to one of the largest spills in state history. The state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources announced it will not approve new wells that use high-pressure steam to extract oil from underground. It’s the type of process Chevron uses at an oil field in the Central Valley that leaked more than 1.3 million gallons (4.9 million liters) of oil and water this summer. That process is different from fracking, which uses water and other chemicals at high pressure to extract oil. California has 263 pending fracking permits but has no...

Jakobshavn Isbrae: Mighty Greenland glacier slams on brakes

Science

European satellites have detailed the abrupt change in behaviour of one of Greenland's most important glaciers.In the 2000s, Jakobshavn Isbrae was the fastest flowing ice stream on the island, travelling at 17km a year.As it sped to the ocean, its front end also retreated and thinned, dropping in height by as much as 20m year.But now it's all change. Jakobshavn is travelling much more slowly, and its trunk has even begun to thicken and lengthen."It's a complete reversal in behaviour and it wasn't predicted," said Dr Anna Hogg from Leeds University and the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM)."The question now is: what's next for Jakobshavn? Is this just a pause, or is it a switch-off of the dynamic thinning we've ...

If you are donating a car to charity, pump the brakes and be sure to take these 8 steps

Finance

Thinking of donating your clunker to charity for a nice tax deduction? Proceed with caution.The gifting of used cars to "charities" has become a favorite way for Americans to dispose of unwanted vehicles. And why not? You can avoid the headache of selling or junking the car, help a charitable cause and lower your tax burden all at the same time.Unfortunately, the experience is rarely, in reality, such a win-win situation. Not only do charities typically see little of the proceeds from a used car sale, but donors can run afoul of the taxman if they're not careful."At the end of the day, donating a used car could be the least cost-effective way to give to a charity," said Stephanie Kalivas, an analyst with CharityWatch, an organization that monitors the charitable giving industry.The problem...