A novel model system is developed to study the effects of the environment on transport properties of a superconducting single-electron transistor (S-SET). The impedance of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) 50 nm below the sample surface serving as the environment can be tuned in situ. A quantum dot is readily formed in the 2DEG. Josephson tunneling processes in the SET are suppressed and quasiparticle tunneling processes are enhanced as the 2DEG is confined. Important energetic parameters of the SET such as the charging energy E\sbc and superconducting energy gap △ remain almost unchanged in this process.