Now, with just days to do, top state officials are taking their case to areas affected by the drilling, such as in the Alleghenies.

John Hanger, secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, was in Johnstown on Thursday talking to local conservation officials and why they need to do to put pressure on legislators fast.

"They're coming here not because they love Pennsylvania -- let's be real. This is a business transaction and they absolutely expect to pay a reasonable tax once they get here," Hanger said.

Hanger said drillers in Pennsylvania are getting a 64 percent return on their investment and it's important the areas hosting the drilling see some of it, because they do in almost every other state.

"In Alaska, they literally send every Alaska a check to refund that money," Hanger said.

In the Cambria County Conservation District, he said it would finally provide some dedicated funding needed more now than ever. Not only is the district dealing with the environmental effects of drilling, but it's still working on the lingering damage from old coal mines and other projects on a shrinking budget.

Even with residents' complaints such as contaminated water and road damage from truck traffic, Hanger said he truly thinks the benefits of drilling and the money from the tax would outweigh the costs.

He said, "The costs are never going to be zero. Even when drilling is done well, there are impacts, but this is one way to ensure every Pennsylvanian receives some benefit from hosting this industrial activity."

Hanger said, in just a few years, about 10 percent of all of the natural gas used in the U.S. will be produced in Pennsylvania.

Previous Stories: September 20, 2010: Marcellus Shale Drillers Set Up Jobs Website September 13, 2010: Pa. Forestry Group Tours Marcellus Shale Gas Wells August 10, 2010: Rendell: Drilling Tax Should Help Pay For Road Repairs August 9, 2010: Educators Tailor Courses For Marcellus Drilling Job Demand July 14, 2010: Critics Question Marcellus Drilling Research; Penn State Dean Admits Flaws June 25, 2010: Local Gas Drilling Sparks Road Restrictions, Tax Debate