US President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly returned during his campaign to promises that he will enable increased oil production in the US. The Republican made “Drill, baby, drill” a recurring slogan during campaign rallies. After the victory in the presidential election, optimism has soared in the parts of the United States where residents depend on oil production.
In Big Lake, one of the oil towns of West Texas, residents are looking forward to good times over the next four years.
– We are excited to see how the first year will be with the new administration and we all have very high expectations, says Heath Holt.
Has gone into overdrive
He and his family run a company that, among other things, repairs the oil pumps seen in the Texas oil fields. The family also owns land where oil is pumped up.
– We hope that he will ensure that there is more drilling and do as he did last time, come up with proposals that help the oil industry, says Heath Holt.
US oil production has been on a high in recent years and during Joe Biden’s time in the White House, the country’s oil production has reached new highs, despite previous promises from Biden to stop drilling. At the same time, the Biden administration has increasingly invested in green energy, something that Donald Trump is expected to be less interested in.
– I mean that there is also room for green energy. But the millions and millions of jobs that the oil industry represents are absolutely crucial. It makes sure that people can make a living, that people can pay for education for their children, says Heath Holt.
Talk about a new oil boom
In the city, which has previously experienced both high peaks and deep valleys, many have already started talking about a new oil boom.
– We are very hopeful. You notice this because everyone has calmed down, before there was a lot of anxiety, says Linda Schuknecht, who has lived in Big Lake all her life.
She does not give much to those who believe that it is wrong to invest more in oil production, out of concern for climate change.
– I think that is a myth. I believe that God takes care of everything and believe that this is what we need to do. We need to drill, we need to extract all our resources from the ground, she says.
Heath Holt says he hopes four years of Donald Trump will lead to further growth in the oil industry.
– We hope and we pray that the oil industry is in even better shape than when Trump handed over last time. And we hope that everyone will start making money again, says Heath Holt.