The Supreme Court has ruled the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate the emission of “greenhouse gases” linked to global warming. The ruling is seen as a major victory for the environmental movement. Until now the Bush administration has refused to view carbon dioxide as an air pollutant subject to EPA regulation. In a 5-to-4 decision, the court ruled that the EPA violated the Clean Air Act by improperly declining to regulate new-vehicle emissions standards to control the pollutants that scientists say contribute to global warming. The Natural Resources Defense Council said the ruling “repudiates the Bush administration’s do-nothing policy on global warming.” Frank O’Donnell of Clean Air Watch said, “This means California and other states have the clear right to limit greenhouse gas emissions if the Bush administration won’t.”