The Trump administration has allowed about 70 power plants that burn coal to not follow government rules for two years. These rules require them to lower the amount of dangerous chemicals like mercury, arsenic, and benzene that they let out.

A list published this week on the Environmental Protection Agency's website shows that 47 power companies, which run at least 66 coal power stations, will not have to follow some rules under the Clean Air Act. These rules usually control air pollution from dangerous substances like mercury. This decision comes after President Donald Trump signed an order last week to help the coal industry, which is struggling. Coal has been a source of energy for a long time, but it causes a lot of pollution and has been used less and less.

Some power plants were given special permission to keep working. One is the Colstrip plant in Montana. The EPA says this plant releases more harmful air pollution, like lead and arsenic, than any other similar plant in the U.S. Other plants with this permission are the Coal Creek Station in North Dakota, which produces a lot of mercury pollution, and the Oak Grove plant in Texas, which also pollutes a lot.

Some of the biggest energy companies in the country own the plants that are not included in the rules. These companies include Talen Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy, and Southern Co.

The exceptions also apply to four power stations run by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which is the biggest public energy company in the country.

The EPA announced on Tuesday that the president's decision will support power plants that burn coal. They believe this will make sure our country's power system is dependable, that electricity is cheap for people in America, and that the EPA is helping to make our nation's energy supply safe and secure.

Michelle Bloodworth, the head of a group that supports coal power plants, said Trump believes the country's coal plants are "necessary for keeping our electricity supply reliable and safe – which is vital for our economy."

She said the rules from former President Joe Biden did not follow the Clean Air Act and were based on a wrong analysis of the data.

Bloodworth said the mercury rule, which was finished last year, might have caused many coal power plants to close too early. He also said these plants are needed to keep the electricity system working well.

Environmental groups said the exceptions, which require the president to decide that the technology needed for the new rules is not easily found and that the plants operating helps national security, mean that Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin failed in their duty.

According to Maya Golden-Krasner from an environmental group, these permits allowing pollution seriously damage federal laws that protect our air. She added that it is wrong to say that making people breathe more harmful chemicals is about national security. She believes this shows that making money from pollution is more important than protecting the health of people and the environment.

Environmental and health groups have strongly criticized the government's plan to make exceptions. They think this could let many companies avoid following laws that protect nature and people's health.

Critics say the new email address the EPA set up to ask for special permission is a "polluters' portal."

The government can make exceptions to nine environmental rules, like those that limit mercury and other dangerous air chemicals. Being around mercury can hurt the brain, especially in children, and can cause problems for babies before they are born.

Last week, Trump used his special powers to let some older coal power plants that were going to close keep making electricity. This was to meet the growing need for power in the U.S. because of more data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric cars. Trump also told government groups to find coal on government land, make it easier to mine coal, and focus on letting companies mine coal on U.S. land.

Trump, a Republican, has often said he wants to use more coal, which he calls "beautiful," for power plants and other things.