(a)
The Conservation Committee of the California Oil and Gas Producers shall act as an advisory committee, for the purposes of this article only, to assist the division in adopting criteria for determining whether a well is acute, and the level of surface or subsurface work necessary to plug and abandon and secure the well to eliminate the immediate risk to life, health, or natural resources. The division shall give substantial deference to these recommendations.
(b)
If a recommendation of the committee is not followed, the division shall provide a written justification, approved by the supervisor, for not following the recommendation.
(c)
The supervisor shall periodically consult with the Conservation Committee of the California Oil and Gas Producers to determine if the criteria developed pursuant to this section are being applied consistently, or if the criteria require revision to reflect changing circumstances.