The Trump government has given about 70 power plants that burn coal two more years. They don't have to follow the rules to make the air cleaner and lower harmful chemicals like mercury during this time.

A list online this week shows that 47 power companies do not have to follow some rules about pollution.

Some power plants are allowed to keep working even if they make the air dirty. One is the Colstrip power plant in Montana. It puts more bad things like lead and arsenic into the air than any other power plant like it in the country, says the EPA. Other power plants that can keep working are the Coal Creek plant in North Dakota, which makes a lot of mercury pollution, and the Oak Grove plant in Texas, which also pollutes a lot.

Some big energy companies in the country own the plants that don't have to follow the rule. These companies are Talen Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy, and Southern Co.

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

The EPA said on Tuesday that the president's decision will help power plants that use coal. This will help make sure we have enough electricity, that it is not too expensive for people, and that our country has the energy it needs.

Michelle Bloodworth, who is in charge of a group that helps power plants that use coal, said Trump believes that these coal power plants are very important for making sure we have enough safe electricity. She said this safe electricity is like the main support for our country's economy.

She said the rules from the former President did not follow the Clean Air Act and used wrong information.

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

Environmental groups said Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin did not do their job when they allowed these exemptions.

These permissions to pollute make big holes in the government's rules for clean air, said Maya Golden-Krasner, a lawyer for an environmental group. She said it's wrong to say it's for national safety to make people breathe more bad chemicals. This shows they care more about companies making money than about people and the planet.

Environmental groups and health experts say the government's plan to let some companies not follow rules could hurt the environment and people's health.

Some people say the new email address the EPA made to ask for special permission helps companies that pollute get what they want.

Sometimes, people don't have to follow nine EPA rules about air pollution. These rules stop dangerous things like mercury from getting into the air. If you breathe in mercury, it can hurt your brain, especially if you are a child. It can also cause problems for babies before they are born.

Last week, Trump made some rules. He said older coal power plants could stay open to make more electricity. This electricity is needed for things like computers, AI, and electric cars. He also told government groups to find coal on government land and make it easier to dig it up.

Trump, who is a Republican, has often said he wants to help the coal industry. He thinks coal is good for making electricity and for other things.