Washington ( CNN ) -- The Supreme Court will take another look at government regulation of air pollution in a high-stakes environmental and economic fight pitting the Obama administration against a coalition of states and utilities . The justices announced Tuesday they had accepted six separate appeals for review , which will be consolidated into an hour of oral arguments scheduled for early next year . A ruling is expected by June . At issue is whether the federal Environmental Protection Agency can tighten emission standards for stationary greenhouse gas sources , such as power plants , in what the government says is an effort to stem the effects of global warming . The high court in 2007 affirmed the conclusions by much of the scientific community that greenhouse gases are an air pollutant , but that case dealt with emissions from motor vehicles . A range of business groups say the agency then improperly extended its regulatory authority . Texas was among the states whose cases were accepted . Climate change to drive annual temps to new highs within a generation , study says . The court rejected three other related appeals , including one from Virginia state officials : broader challenges to the EPA 's power over carbon emissions . Numerous environmental groups support the administration , saying the court 's acceptance of only one legal question was a positive sign . `` Today 's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to deny numerous further legal challenges to EPA 's science-based determination that six greenhouse gases threaten our nation 's health and well-being is a historic victory for all Americans that are afflicted by the ravages of extreme weather , '' said Vickie Patton , general counsel of the Environmental Defense Fund . `` Those decisions make it abundantly clear , once and for all , that EPA has the both legal authority and the responsibility to address climate change and the carbon pollution that causes it . '' This is the second major environmental regulation case that will be heard this term . The justices in December will decide the EPA 's ability to measure emissions from an upwind state that is polluting a downwind state , requiring those upwind states to pay for greenhouse gas reductions . Many business groups hope the conservative majority will limit the reach of government in this and a range of regulatory areas , which the Chamber of Commerce and others say is hurting the economy and stifling innovation . `` The EPA 's illegal regulations threaten Texas jobs and Texas employers , '' Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said of the agency 's policies . `` As Texas has proven in other lawsuits against the EPA , this is a runaway federal agency , so we are pleased the Obama Administration will have to defend its lawless regulations before the U.S. Supreme Court . '' The new cases are Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. EPA ( 12-1272 ) ; Texas v. EPA ( 12-1269 ) ; Southeastern Legal Foundation v. EPA ( 12-1268 ) ; Energy-Intensive Manufacturers Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Regulation v. EPA ( 12-1254 ) ; American Chemistry Council v. EPA ( 12-1248 ) ; and Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA ( 12-1146 ) . Test your knowledge of the Supreme Court .
Coalition of states , utilities is challenging the government 's authority to limit air pollution . Comment: The government says the tighter rules are an attempt to stem the effects of global warming . Business groups say regulations are hurting the economy and stifling innovation .