For the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (commencing with Section 21000), the division shall be the lead agency as defined in Section 21067 for all geothermal exploratory projects as defined in Section 21065.5. The division shall complete all its responsibilities pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, including public and agency review and approval or disapproval of the project, within 135 days of the receipt of the application for such project. The division may delegate its lead agency responsibility under this section to a county which has adopted a geothermal element, as defined in Section 25133, for its general plan. Any such delegation shall provide that the county complete its lead agency responsibility under this section within 135 days of the receipt of the application for such project. The provisions of this section shall not apply to geothermal exploratory projects as defined in Section 21065.5 where, prior to January 1, 1979, preparation of an environmental impact report for such project has begun or an application for such project which will require preparation of an environmental impact report has been filed.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1271.)