The use of short (5-50 ns), high voltage unipolar pulses for plasma initiation in atmospheric and higher pressure environments will be reviewed for applications including ignition, combustion, and emissions remediation, and, if time allows, wine. These plasmas are transient – the plasma is generated in times short compared to the equilibration of the plasma electron energy distribution. Transient plasmas substantially reduce ignition delay under a variety of engine and fuel/air conditions, show promise for improving engine efficiency, and efficiently reduce emissions from various sources. Results for studies of plasma enhancement of internal combustion and pulse detonation engines will be reviewed. Emissions remediation (e.g., NOx, SOx, and particulate reduction) have been obtained with ns plasmas, and will also be reviewed. Transient plasmas for these applications typically require only small pulse energy (10 mJ to < 1 J) which significantly and beneficially affects energy efficiency. However, they require fast rising rates (≤ns). The pulsed power technology used to generate these plasmas is therefore important and that technology will be reviewed.