Jerimiah, to answer your first question: Yes, I understand that those using natural gas will pay for the tax the companies pay for extracting it.

It appears you that you believe that the gas extracted in Pennsylvania will be used exclusively by those of us that live here. Not so my friend. The gas basically goes on the world market. That means that gas used in Ohio, New York, West Virginia or where ever. Consequently those that pay for its use other than in Pennsylvania theoretically pay a tax to Pennsylvanai. And just like when the price of a barrel of oil increases and gasoline prices go up all over the country so too will natural gas fluctuations cause variations in cost of use across the nation.