There are many other actions undertaken by the government to directly support some sectors of the economy, particularly, transportation, and energy with subsidies and special tax treatment. Agriculture has been aided with price supports and many other programs costing billions of dollars per year to consumers and taxpayers. Railroads were granted free lands along their-of way as well as direct subsidies, the maritime industry has been greatly helped with large direct, airlines have greatly benefited from government-sponsored aerospace military research, and the energy (oil, gas, and coal) sectors have benefited from depletion allowances. Although all these actions on the part of the government in support of business have been justified on the basis of the national interest, they often represented the government response to strong lobbying pressure from industry seeking support to restrict entry and competition.