Energy production and use impose one of the greatest burdens on our environment of any human activity. The Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation, and Protection (EMEP) program at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides scientifically credible and objective information on environmental impacts of energy systems to assist the state in developing science-based and cost-effective policies to mitigate impacts. The EMEP program supports policy-relevant research in order to enhance understanding of energy-related environmental issues.

The EMEP program is funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) collected by the state's investor-owned utilities. NYSERDA administers the SBC program (also known as the New York Energy $mart^SM program) under an agreement with the New York State Public Service Commission.