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

Some of the country's biggest power companies own the plants that don't have to follow the rules. These companies are Talen Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy, and Southern Co.

The exceptions also include four power stations run by the Tennessee Valley Authority. This is the biggest public utility in the country.

On Tuesday, the EPA said the president's choices would help power plants that use coal. They said this would make the country's electricity system dependable, keep electricity cheap for Americans, and help the EPA keep the nation's energy safe.

Michelle Bloodworth, the head of a group that supports coal power, said Trump believes the country's coal plants are important for a steady and safe electricity supply, which is very important for our economy.

She said the rules made by former President Joe Biden "didn't fit with the Clean Air Act and used a bad analysis of the data."

Bloodworth said that the mercury rule from 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 that by allowing these exceptions, which require the president to say the needed technology isn't widely available and that the plants are important for national security, Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin didn't do their jobs well.

"These permits that allow pollution seriously weaken the important federal laws that protect the air we breathe," said Maya Golden-Krasner, a senior lawyer at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. "Saying that making people across the country breathe more harmful substances is necessary for national security is wrong. This shows what happens when making money for companies that pollute is more important than the health of Americans and the planet."

Environmental groups and health supporters have strongly criticized the government's plan to allow special permission. They think this could let many companies avoid laws that protect the environment and people's health.

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

Some exceptions are allowed for nine EPA rules, such as those limiting mercury, ethylene oxide, and other harmful air pollutants. Getting exposed to mercury can damage the brain, particularly in children. It can also cause birth defects if a pregnant mother is exposed.

Last week, Trump used his emergency powers to help some older coal power plants continue working instead of closing. He did this because the U.S. needs more electricity for things like data centers, AI, and electric cars. Trump also told government groups to find coal on government land, make it easier to mine coal, and focus on renting land for coal mining.

Trump, who is a Republican, has often said he wants to help the coal industry, which he calls "beautiful," so it can be used to make electricity and for other things.