Republican Scott Brown’s win in the special election to fill the open Senate seat from Massachusetts does take away Democrats’ filibuster-proof majority when it comes to hot-button issues like health care and the environment. But Brown’s victory won’t prevent greenhouse gas regulations from being enacted this year.

Reason: The Obama administration has set the stage for GHG rules that don’t need Congressional approval.

EPA’s recent finding that GHGs pose a danger to people and the planet would allow the agency to enact control rules under the Clean Air Act, according to the Obama administration.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has introduced legislation to block EPA from using that tactic.

The measure has 35 Republican and 3 Democrat cosponsors, not enough to stop EPA action.

And even if it passed the Senate, Murkowski’s measure would also have to be approved by the House.

Not all Republicans in the Senate are totally against cap-and-trade legislation to regulate GHGs.  Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) tried to broker a cap-and-trade deal, but so far he hasn’t been successful.