The objective was to present some insight into three aspects of synthetic fuels technology. The resource base and the different technical approaches to producing useable fuels from the resource are examined. The potential impacts of various synthetic fuel technologies on air quality, water quality and quantity, environmental safety and health, land use and the socioeconomic stability of affected communities are examined. Existing standards designed to control these risks and mechanisms and approaches which can be taken by synfuel developers to meet these standards are discussed.