Time to find new resources

Iowa has been a leader in renewable energy for decades, and this summer the state took another giant leap forward as it produced its first gallon of cellulosic ethanol. This is good news for our economy and our national security: whether it is biofuels produced from corn kernels, crop residue, or energy crops, the Midwest will be the key to ending our reliance on oil.

Our country's dependence on petroleum products means we send millions of dollars to foreign nations abroad that don't necessarily share our values or our best interests. Moreover, those who insist we 'drill, baby, drill” fail to acknowledge that no amount of U.S. production can make a dent in the vast global market.

In short, our addiction to oil is getting costlier, riskier and dirtier every day. It is a critical weakness in our economy and our national security, and it is time to kick the habit.

Future energy security will depend on new resources. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Defense - the largest consumer of fossil fuels in our country - is following Iowa's lead and taking steps to reduce oil consumption by transitioning to renewable sources of energy like ethanol and more advanced biofuels.

Both the Air Force and the Navy are working to fuel the most advanced fighter and transport aircraft in the world with everything from beef fat to leftover cooking oil.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has made it a top priority to diversify the Navy's energy portfolio by engaging in biofuels testing programs.

Doing so will assuredly decrease our nation's dependence on oil and add much-needed revenue and jobs to the U.S. economy.

Unfortunately, some members of Congress oppose these efforts. Rather than supporting the judgments of our military leaders who believe our dependence on oil poses a strategic threat to our national security, they attack the military for investing in prudent measures that will reduce our dependence on oil and save lives.

These attempts to derail the military's efforts are shortsighted and dangerous. Energy security is national security. If we cannot fuel our own military ships, tanks and jets, we cannot protect our nation.

Creating a robust, domestic supply chain for clean energy would reduce the military's reliance on any fuel whose supply chain could be cut off or disrupted.

This is where Iowa can continue to lead the way toward a stronger American energy future.

In the last few years, Iowa producers have reduced the cost of advanced biofuels used for military testing by more than 80 percent. As the military and private consumers purchase greater volumes of these fuels, their price will be driven even lower. In fact, the Navy believes its investments will make advanced biofuels cost competitive with petroleum by 2020.

Want more good news? All of this means more jobs for Iowans in a rapidly growing energy sector. Iowa punches far above its population weight in energy-related job growth, running fifth in the nation behind the much more populous Texas, Arizona, New York and California. Further innovations in biofuels have the potential to fuel not just the best war-fighting material in the world, but also economic growth for generations to come.

With the 2016 presidential election season already underway, the Iowa Caucus will once again steal the national political spotlight. As Iowans, we must use our leverage to get Republican and Democratic candidates alike talking about a comprehensive energy policy that does more than pay lip service to biofuels.

As national leaders make their way into our communities, let them know that more research and development for alternative fuel sources is not just good energy policy - it's good for the economy and a matter of national security. The path to America's energy security started in the cornfields of Iowa, and it is up to us to keep the nation moving in the right direction.

' Joseph Jones is a former legislative assistant to Sen. Tom Harkin and a fellow with the Truman National Security Project. Comments: jljones2@gmail.com