Texas' energy pride sags amid bitter winter cold

Boyd deleted his post but stood by the sentiments in a follow-up message. He also wrote that his original message was posted as a private citizen, not as mayor of the city of 4,000, saying "(I) had already turned in my resignation and had not signed up to run for mayor again".

The post was made as millions of Texans had no power following a winter storm. The cold snap, which has killed at least 21 people nationwide, is not expected to let up until this weekend. The deep freeze has shut about one-fifth of the US refining capacity and closed oil and natural gas production across Texas.

Power companies in Texas have implemented rolling blackouts to avoid grids being overloaded as residents try to heat their homes.