The News and Observer reports that Lee County Commissioner Jim Womack, in his capacity as “hearing officer” for the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission, wrote an email to several local and state officials at 2:41 a.m. Friday threatening to shut down tonight’s scheduled (and hotly anticipated) public hearing on the contentious issue of fracking if he can’t acquire a uniformed police presence to monitor the meeting.

Check out the N&O’s piece for context. Meanwhile, the Rant has obtained Womack’s full email. Read it by clicking the images below.

womack email 1womack email 2womack email 3