Steve Butler, played by Matt Damon, has caught the attention of the upper management at Global Cross Power Solutions, an energy firm specializing in extracting natural gas from underground shale deposits through fracking. His reputation stems from his remarkable ability to secure contracts with landowners quickly and cost-effectively.
When Butler and his partner, Sue Thomason, arrive in a small Pennsylvania farming community, their first stop is a local shop run by Rob (Titus Welliver) to purchase clothes that help them blend into the rural atmosphere. Butler insists on wearing his grandfather's old boots, illustrating his connection to his own humble beginnings. However, the farmers in this town, like many across rural America, are grappling with the challenge of maintaining their family farms. Many take pride in their ancestral lands and are apprehensive about losing them, fearing that they cannot bequeath their heritage to their children.
Growing up in a town much like this one, Butler has firsthand experience of the devastation caused by the closure of local industries. He reflects on how his own community deteriorated after the Caterpillar assembly plant shut down, leading him to conclude that towns like this cannot rely solely on family farming for survival. In a poignant moment, a local store owner reminds him, "We can't sell the scenery, can we?"
Initially, Butler and Thomason anticipate a quick three-day trip to secure landowner signatures, believing the process will be straightforward. However, their first encounter with a farmer takes a turn when Butler promises him a future filled with wealth. A meeting with Gerry Richards (Ken Strunk), a member of the local supervisors' board, reveals tensions already brewing; Richards warns Butler about the implications of his approach before a town hall meeting. In a desperate attempt to gain support, Butler offers Richards $30,000, a figure that stirs tension as Richards holds out for more while Butler argues that the company's projected $30 million revenue only allows for a small token of compensation.
That evening, at a local bar, Butler meets Alice (Rosemarie DeWitt), a captivating teacher who challenges him to a drinking game. Butler wakes up the next day in her home, barely remembering the previous night’s events but assured by Alice that nothing inappropriate occurred. At the town meeting later that evening, Supervisor Richards attempts to sway the crowd to accept Global's proposal, but when Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook), a high school science teacher, raises concerns about fracking's safety and Global's track record, the tide turns. He cites a university study valuing the shale oil in their area at $150 million, suggesting a town vote in two weeks—a strategy that garners Yates considerable support.
Butler notices Dustin Noble, who appears to represent an environmental group, during the ensuing discussions. A subsequent video conference with Global's executives reveals Yates' impressive qualifications, further complicating Butler's mission. The following day, Noble visits Yates, revealing he works for Superior Athena and expresses his intent to support the community against Global. The conversation takes a dark turn when Noble shows Yates disturbing images of dead cattle, insinuating environmental harm from drilling practices.
As Butler and Thomason attempt to form relationships with the locals, Noble’s presence becomes a significant threat. When he speaks at an open mic night, his emotional story about the loss of his family's farm resonates deeply with the audience, showcasing the devastating impact of signing contracts with Global. In a moment of desperation, Butler and Thomason confront Noble, trying to sway him with a substantial donation, but Noble rejects their tactics and rallies the town against them.
The tension crescendos as Noble demonstrates to school children the dangers of fracking through a graphic analogy, leaving a lasting impression on them and Alice. As the situation escalates, Butler finds himself increasingly torn between loyalty to his company and the growing narrative of community resistance spearheaded by Noble. A failed town fair only deepens Butler's struggle, and when he receives evidence of Noble's deception, he confronts the realization that Noble was playing a deeper game all along.
In a dramatic twist at the town meeting, Butler reveals Noble's manipulation and his own connection to Global. Faced with the moral implications of his actions, he watches as Thomason, now aligned with the company, informs him of his termination. The story culminates as Butler seeks solace with Alice, the woman who haunted his thoughts throughout this tumultuous journey, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of the choices made in the pursuit of profit versus the values of community and integrity.
