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As Carbon Capture & Storage Gathers Steam, New Consumer Watchdog Report Questions Its Threat To The Public And Lifeline For Fossil Fuels

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California is setting the stage for oil producers, refiners, and other industries to decarbonize. Air regulators are circulating proposed rules for the state’s first industrial Carbon Capture and Storage program. They’ve doubled a pool of CO2 emissions allowances to $4 billion for manufacturers that make approved investments in decarbonization. The state Fire Marshal recently finalized safety rules for carbon dioxide pipelines to carry the dangerous asphyxiant. None of this makes sense for California, Consumer Watchdog finds in a new report.

The California oil producer furthest down the decarbonization path is California Resources Corporation (CRC). “As California’s largest oil producer, California Resources Corp. is the poster child for both the California oil industry’s slow death as it runs out of oil, and dangerous reinvention as it pushes Carbon Capture and Storage technology that is a bad bet for the public and the environment,” Consumer Watchdog said in a new report. 

This week, the California Public Utilities Commission may also green light CRC’s purchase of Crimson Utilities, owner of two major crude oil pipeline systems supplying California refineries. The San Pablo pipeline connecting Kern to Bay Area pipelines was closed last year due to low operation rates costing Crimson Utilities $2 million a month, according to the Oil Price Information Service. The state-blessed acquisition would ensure that CRC is too big to fail.

To read the report click here.

For a scroll telling visualization see: https://consumerwatchdog.org/slowdeath/ 

“During the last two years, California Resources Corp. (CRC) has purchased Aera Energy and oil producer Berry Corporation while Governor Gavin Newsom and regulators have ignored state laws requiring purchasers of oil producers to put up bonding to ensure the wells are eventually plugged. This allows CRC to socialize billions of dollars in costs of sunsetting oil wells while privatizing any profits,” the report says.

“While CRC expands its well portfolio, its new gambit is building risky, multi-billion-dollar Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects that will siphon carbon dioxide emissions from smokestacks for pipeline transportation and burial in geological formations with the support of Governor Newsom and state regulators. At the same time, the market for carbon dioxide removal technologies is collapsing with Microsoft stepping back from the industry it helped create, according to The New York Times.

“California currently has about 40 announced projects, including direct air capture of carbon from the air, according to a list tracked by the California Air Resources Board updated last fall. These projects, also proposed by Aera Energy and Chevron, are in various stages of development but none are fully approved. Many, but not all, projects depend on dangerous pipelines to carry compressed carbon dioxide, a potentially lethal asphyxiant, for storage in geological formations. But no official statewide count currently exists. In addition, an up to 45-mile pipeline has been proposed for the Bay Area.”

This report finds:

CRC and other oil producers’ forays into CCS are a multi-billion-dollar boondoggle turbocharged by financially lucrative federal tax credits while promoting continued use of fossil fuels. Without the tax credits, it is doubtful these projects could stay afloat even with private investment, according to analysts.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, 15 operating CCS facilities in the US have the capacity to capture just four-tenths of one percent of the nation’s annual CO2 emissions.

CCS overpromises and underdelivers. A global review by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) of 16 carbon dioxide capture projects in settings from natural gas processing to hydrogen production and gasification found that the projects captured as little as 10% of CO2 emissions and no more than 80%, though the industry claims a 95% capture rate.

The amount of carbon dioxide captured by oil refineries is virtually non-existent, according to analysts. Capturing a steady stream from inhouse hydrogen production needed continuously to make products is the only target area that makes sense, but refiners need federal tax credits and contracts to sell higher priced “low carbon” products to justify the expense.

CRC promises to capture CO2 from its own gas-fired power plant. Carbon capture from natural-gas fired power plants has never been done at commercial scale, IEEFA reports. Facility emissions associated with running the carbon capture equipment are not included in industry estimates. The extra energy needed is as high as 20% to 30% of a power plant’s output, generating more fossil fuel emissions.

CRC plans to take CO2 emissions from other California industries. Nothing compels these companies to pay CRC to take their CO2 emissions. But the project could drive new, polluting industrial development instead of cutting existing emissions to mitigate climate change.

“The alternative is simple and cheaper, but goes against the interests of CRC, Aera and other oil producers,” the report concludes. “According to the International Energy Agency, ‘Ramping up renewables, improving energy efficiency, cutting methane emissions and increasing electrification with technologies available today deliver more than 80% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030.’ CCS provides a fraction of what’s necessary and is no solution, merely putting off what should be done now—a full-scale transition away from oil and gas.”

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SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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PR-UPERFECT Unveils Brand Upgrade and Expanded Portable Display Ecosystem at IFA 2026

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UPERFECT, a global brand specializing in portable display solutions, recently introduced a comprehensive brand upgrade featuring a refreshed logo, redesigned packaging system, and enhanced global website experience. The update reflects the company’s continued expansion of its product portfolio and brand presence. In addition, its participation at IFA 2026 from September 4–8 at Messe Berlin, Hall 5.2, Stand 449, will showcase the next stage of its development through an expanded lineup of portable display solutions.

The brand upgrade marks an important step in UPERFECT’s ongoing development, reflecting a more structured and comprehensive approach to its product portfolio and brand experience. While UPERFECT has established its presence in gaming and mobile productivity scenarios, the brand upgrade introduces new dedicated series for professional content creation, minimalist setups, and coding, creating a more complete and systematic product ecosystem for modern users.

At the center of the upgrade is UPERFECT’s new logo, featuring a cleaner and more modern visual identity that reflects the brand’s continued evolution. The refreshed design extends across the new packaging system, creating a more unified brand experience and clearer product communication for users worldwide.

The company has also launched an upgraded global website featuring a more intuitive interface, streamlined navigation, and improved product discovery. The new platform provides users with clearer access to product information, application scenarios, and support resources, creating a more seamless experience for customers exploring UPERFECT’s expanded product portfolio.

Our brand upgrade represents more than a visual refresh. It reflects UPERFECT’s evolution from a portable monitor company into a broader display ecosystem designed around the diverse ways people work, create, play, and stay connected,” said Tracy, CEO of UPERFECT. “IFA 2026 gives us an important opportunity to introduce this new direction to our global partners, customers and media.

At IFA 2026, UPERFECT will showcase its expanded product portfolio, featuring dedicated solutions for professional photographers, designers, Mac users and creative professionals, gamers, developers, business professionals, students, digital nomads, and more.  The exhibition will highlight how the brand combines advanced display technologies with flexible form factors to support different user scenarios.

Featured products will include solutions designed for different user scenarios. For Mac users and minimalist workspaces, UPERFECT will showcase the MX19BU, a 19-inch 4K display for MacBook, and the MX17BU, a 17-inch OLED 3K 90Hz portable monitor from the Minimalist Series. For professional creators, the Professional Series will feature the UD19BU, a 19-inch 4K designer monitor, and the UD14BQ, a 14-inch 2K pen display designed for creative workflows. For gamers, the Blaze Gaming Series will highlight the GR19BU, a 19-inch 4K QLED gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, and the GR16HQ, a 16-inch high-refresh-rate gaming monitor built for immersive gameplay.

UPERFECT will also preview upcoming solutions for mobile professionals and developers, including new flexible monitor and dual-screen concepts from the Nomad Business Series, as well as coding-focused solutions from the CodeCraft Series, with further details to be revealed at the show.

IFA 2026 attendees will have the opportunity to experience UPERFECT’s latest portable display innovations firsthand (Hall 5.2, Stand 449). Guests can explore new products, preview upcoming solutions across multiple categories, connect with the UPERFECT team, and receive exclusive gifts available exclusively at the show.

About UPERFECT
UPERFECT is a global brand focused on portable monitor solutions, dedicated to enhancing productivity, creativity, and entertainment through innovative screen technologies. With a diverse portfolio spanning multiple use cases, UPERFECT continues to deliver flexible and high-performance display experiences for users worldwide.

Sales Email: sales@uperfect.comOfficial Social Media:YouTube: @uperfect_officialFacebook: UPERFECTOfficialInstagram: @uperfect_officialX(Twitter): @UPERFECTGlobalPinterest: @uperfect_officialMedia, Editor & Influencer Registration: marketing@uperfect.com Brand Upgrade Blog: https://uperfect.com/blogs/brand-news/uperfect-complete-brand-upgradeIFA Preview Blog: https://uperfect.com/blogs/brand-news/uperfect-at-ifa-2026-preview

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pr-uperfect-unveils-brand-upgrade-and-expanded-portable-display-ecosystem-at-ifa-2026-302847757.html

SOURCE UPERFECT

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MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation Announces Grand Opening of Expanded Newark Office to Drive U.S. Infrastructure Growth

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NEWARK, Calif., Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation, a global leader in high-performance, energy-efficient server solutions and a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings Corporation (TWSE:3706), announced the grand opening of its expanded Newark, California operations facility for MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation. The strategic expansion reinforces MiTAC’s investment in North American technology infrastructure, customer co-innovation, and long-term enterprise growth.

The upgraded facility strengthens MiTAC’s operational scale and engineering capabilities across four core centers of excellence:

New Product Introduction (NPI) Unit: Purpose-built for advanced air- and liquid-cooling rack-scale architectures, enabling rapid prototype production and remote customer testing.Engineering Lab: Delivers comprehensive, end-to-end hardware and software system validation for enterprise AI and cloud workloads.Customer Experience Center (CEC): Connects hyperscale and enterprise clients directly with MiTAC’s latest full-stack, server-to-cluster infrastructure.Service Center: Provides dedicated post-deployment technical support, lifecycle management, and field services.

“This new facility reflects MiTAC’s ongoing commitment to deepening our footprint alongside our U.S. customers and ecosystem partners,” said Raymond Huang, General Manager of MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation. “With this expansion, we directly deliver localized engineering, testing, validation, and failure analysis (FA) to strengthen our U.S. sales and manufacturing operations. By pairing localized support with our advanced manufacturing heritage, this expansion establishes a collaborative hub to accelerate time-to-market for next-generation data center infrastructure. We look forward to the opportunities it will create for regional innovation and partnership.”

The opening ceremony brought together civic leaders, key customers, strategic industry partners, and community representatives for an official ribbon-cutting, executive networking, guided facility tours, and interactive demonstrations showcasing MiTAC’s end-to-end systems engineering capabilities.

MiTAC was honored to welcome Newark Mayor Michael Hannon—who delivered remarks and presented a certificate on behalf of the city—alongside Newark City Council Member Eve Marie Little, City Manager David Benoun, Community Development Director Steven Turner, Deputy Economic Development Director Angela Tsui, and Lily Mei Newark Chamber of Commerce CEO.

MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation extends its sincere gratitude to Mayor Hannon, our distinguished city guests, valued customers, strategic partners, and event sponsors—AMD, Micron, SanDisk, TDS, and D&H—for their support and shared commitment to driving innovation across the AI landscape.

About MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation
MiTAC Computing Technology Corp., a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings Corporation (TWSE:3706), delivers comprehensive, energy-efficient server solutions backed by industry expertise dating back to the 1990s. Specializing in AI, HPC, cloud, and edge computing, MiTAC Computing employs rigorous methodologies to ensure uncompromising quality—across barebones, systems, rack-scale architectures, and cluster-level deployments—fully achieving performance and integration.

MiTAC Computing Technology USA Corporation is dedicated to delivering innovation, performance, and dedicated service to customers and partners across North America.

MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation website: https://www.mitaccomputing.com/

SOURCE MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation

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Philips Television Expands Ambilight TV Lineup with New QLED Series Featuring Enhanced Color, Brightness, and Picture Performance

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New Philips Ambilight TV with QLED combines Quantum Dot display technology with signature Ambilight innovation to deliver a more vibrant and immersive home entertainment experience.

CYPRESS, Calif., Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Philips Television today announced the launch of its new Philips Ambilight TV QLED series, expanding the Ambilight TV lineup with advanced QLED display technology designed to deliver enhanced color performance, improved brightness, and a more immersive viewing experience.

Building on Philips’ TV signature Ambilight technology, the new QLED Ambilight TV series introduces Quantum Dot display technology to create richer colors, greater detail, and a more dynamic picture while continuing to deliver the unique “TV Beyond the Screen” experience that sets Philips Ambilight TVs apart from the rest.

By combining a more advanced display with built-in intelligent ambient lighting, Philips Ambilight TV with QLED brings entertainment to life with a larger-than-screen experience designed for movies, sports, gaming, and everyday streaming.

“Ambilight TV has always been about creating a more immersive way to experience television,” said Fangfang Li, CEO, SKYWORTH USA. “With our new QLED Ambilight TV series, we’re expanding that experience with advanced QLED technology that delivers richer colors, enhanced picture quality, and a more immersive way to watch, stream, and play.”

A New Level of Ambilight TV Experience with QLED Technology

The new Philips Ambilight TV QLED series enhances the viewing experience through Quantum Dot technology, which delivers a wider color spectrum, improved color accuracy, coupled with a brighter display.

Combined with Philips Ambilight TV, which projects dynamic lighting that matches the colors and movement on screen, viewers experience a more immersive viewing experience where the action extends beyond the boundaries of the television.

Key Features of Philips Ambilight TV with QLED Include:

Immersive Entertainment with Ambilight TV – Intelligent LED lighting extends beyond the screen, bringing movies, gaming, and sports to life.Follow Audio Mode – Dedicated audio-reactive mode with lighting effects that pulse and move with the beat, creating the perfect atmosphere for every playlist, party, and moment.Effortless Setup, Right Out of the Box – With Ambilight TV’s built-in LED technology, just plug in and power on right out of the box with no extra devices or complicated setup required.Keep Eyes Comfortable – Light and visuals flow beyond the screen, softening the contrast between bright visuals and dark surroundings, making longer viewing sessions more comfortable.Quantum Dot Display Technology – Delivers richer colors, enhanced brightness, and improved picture performance for more realistic images with greater depth and detail.Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® Support – Experience vibrant colors, enhanced contrast, and multidimensional spatial sound for a cinematic entertainment experience.Roku TV – Enjoy seamless access to thousands of streaming channels, entertainment apps, and free content, all with a fast and easy-to-navigate interface.Roku Backdrops – Showcase an immersive gallery, combined with Ambilight lighting that sets the mood of your living space, even when the TV isn’t in use.

Availability

The Philips Ambilight TV QLED will be available in 50″, 55″, and 65″ sizes beginning August 11, 2026 through Amazon and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

For more information about Philips Ambilight TV QLED , visit https://philips.to/4ytRu0I.

About SKYWORTH USA

SKYWORTH USA is the North American division of SKYWORTH Group, a global technology leader founded in 1988. Focused on innovation and quality, SKYWORTH develops advanced display solutions and designs, manufactures, markets, and sells Philips branded televisions across North America.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/philips-television-expands-ambilight-tv-lineup-with-new-qled-series-featuring-enhanced-color-brightness-and-picture-performance-302847655.html

SOURCE SKYWORTH USA

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