The federal government must promote opportunities for those living in so-called “flyover country.” The people who helped elect Donald Trump need policies that support them. Energy is a big issue, and policies that jump-start that aspect of the American economy are what many people voted for last fall. Farming states can help supplement domestic energy production with the right federal policy.

Today, America is in danger of falling behind global competitors in producing critical sources of sustainable aviation fuels. The administration’s goal is energy independence, yet the aviation industry is in danger of becoming dependent on sustainable fuels from China and Brazil. The nation needs to make progress on sustainable fuels.

With the right policies, Congress can expand sustainable aviation fuel production, consumption and distribution. The administration could take executive action on energy independence by dedicating resources to this issue.

One goal of tariffs is to leverage better trade deals with China. If we don’t act soon, China and Brazil will fill the void and send sustainable aviation fuels for use by U.S. aircraft. American airline companies want to source fuel from U.S. agriculture and distributors, yet the capacity is not present.

Domestic businesses are eager to produce. Advantage News reported in March, “Illinois stands to become (a) leader in the production of sustainable aviation fuels.” It reported that “corn and soybean farmers in Illinois look to benefit from another byproduct of their fields. Sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, is made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduce emissions from air transportation. It takes about 1.5 gallons of ethanol to make one gallon of sustainable aviation fuel.”

American aircraft can use up to 50% of sustainable fuels mixed with jet fuel. Innovation has progressed so that by 2030 aircraft can fly with all sustainable fuels. This is an innovation that Congress and the administration should exploit.

The Department of Energy has set high targets, and the tax code is structured to give tax credits to produce sustainable aviation fuels. Farmers and energy producers have benefitted from innovation that allows the conversion of crops, waste, captured gasses, biomass and plants as a resource for making these fuels. More needs to be done.

One way to stimulate investment is to extend and improve tax credits. An “all of the above” approach embracing fossil fuels in addition to jet fuel from farmers will allow airlines to stop buying from China and Brazil. Regulation and red tape that slow permitting and the production of biofuels need to be reformed.

Fracking, drilling and mining are helping us get to energy independence. Yet, more can be done by targeting agriculture, timber and bioenergy to produce more, thus supplying increased sources of sustainable fuels.

Steve Sherman is a Republican columnist/InsideSources