The reality is that shale gas and oil development has definitely, unarguably, increased domestic oil and gas production, and has definitely, unarguably, lowered prices. These statistics are readily observable in any number of places, mostly concisely at the EIA website.

On the other hand, the claims of widespread environmental damage are either exaggerated or shown by thorough analysis to be utterly false. Despite trying really hard, the anti-development folks have yet to find a definitive case of fracking fluids contaminating potable aquifers, and the flaming faucets in certain films have been shown to be products of naturally-occurring shallow methane, or simple fabrication (one can buy “flaming faucet” kits on the internet.)

Furthermore, the earthquakes in question are thought to be caused by a tiny share of the tens of thousands of injection disposal wells in the country, and not oil and gas wells, which are usually far too shallow to affect seismic activity. You conflate the two types of well a bit too easily, especially in the title of this article.

I would expect science and not activism from a source like the Smithsonian.