Yup. Fracking and also clean burning coal were not research and development that coal and oil and gas companies wanted to fund. EPA grants to companies to carry out research on these issues led to technological advances that led to the fracking and clean coal technology. Do not forget that Obama refused to stop fracking to the anger of environmentalists.  During Obama's term he opened coastal drilling and previously closed oil fields (again to the anger of environmentalists) and the result was oil production expanded more than under any other president. It lead to the surplus we have to day and the drop in the price of oil that persists to this day.  Funny thing-- Trump just repealed Obama orders that never went into effect!! The Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional and barred their becoming effective.