( CNN ) -- The Supreme Court on Monday took away some of the government 's power to tighten emission standards , but preserved the majority of its authority under federal law to regulate greenhouse gases . In a 5-4 decision , the justices affirmed conclusions by much of the scientific community that greenhouse gases blamed for global warming are pollutants . Although it concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency could not completely extend its regulatory authority for limiting the expansion or building of new facilities like power plants . The ruling , on a case seen as a major test of executive authority , gave both sides of the politically charged debate some reason to celebrate . But it also may have the longer term effect of extending legal fights for years . Many conservative groups have characterized President Barack Obama as misusing his power and ignoring the will of Congress . Industry has complained that the administration has used its power to include the development of power plants and other stationary infrastructure . Businesses worry any unchecked expansion of rules could someday apply to millions of other small carbon emitters -- schools , small businesses , and shopping malls . The court agreed to some extent . Justice Antonin Scalia said the `` EPA 's rewriting of the statute was impermissible . '' But the court majority said the administration was not being hampered too greatly in the end , since EPA can still regulate all but 3 percent of the 86 percent of sources responsible for greenhouse gases . `` EPA is getting almost everything it wanted in this case , '' said Scalia . The agency responded positively to the decision . `` Today is a good day for all supporters of clean air and public health and those concerned with creating a better environment for future generations , '' it said in a statement . The government is now expected to continue pushing for authority over emissions from coal-fired plants . And the court 's action will not end what are expected to be further court fights between the administration and industry . Obama earlier this year announced new rules to extend carbon emission standards to larger trucks and buses . The White House said ongoing stalemates on Capitol Hill prompted him to act . Republicans in Congress and their allies have expressed similar concerns over discretionary executive branch changes and delays in implementing Obamacare reforms , a tepid federal response to recent state marijuana legalization , and a refusal to defend a law that did not recognize legally married same-sex couples for federal purposes . The high court last summer struck down that provision in the federal Defense of Marriage Act . The justices in 2007 agreed with EPA and many environmentalists that greenhouse gasses , including carbon dioxide , methane and nitrous oxide emissions , cause air pollution , but that case dealt with emissions from motor vehicles . Defining `` air pollutant '' within the context of greenhouse gases and the ability of the EPA to exercise its regulatory authority absent what it says was a clear congressional mandate -- was the issue here . `` Today the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a stern rebuke to the President , '' said Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott . `` It is a resounding defeat for those , like the President , who would use unelected bureaucracies to override the will of the people . '' Texas and 16 other the states in the South and Midwest were among the parties whose cases were reviewed by the court . A coalition of 15 states backs the White House . Some progressive groups worry the conservative majority Supreme Court has been overly friendly to corporate interests in recent years . This is the second major environmental regulation case that will be heard this term . The justices earlier this year allowed the EPA to measure emissions from an upwind state that is polluting a downwind state , and requiring upwind states to pay for greenhouse gas reductions . Many business groups had hoped the conservative majority would 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 .
Obama administration authority to tighten pollution standards limited . EPA can not extend its complete authority on new or expanded power plants . Industry had objected , saying new rules were a slippery slope . But EPA does not see ruling as a negative , says it reaffirms its policies mostly .