(a) Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. of this Chapter set forth the minimum standards that apply to all in-vessel digestion operations and facilities, except as noted in section 17896.1.(a).

(b) Article 5 of this Chapter sets forth additional minimum standards that will apply only to in-vessel digestion facilities.

(c) Approvals, determinations and other requirements that the EA is authorized to make under Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this Chapter shall be provided in writing by the EA to the operator. The operator shall place a copy of each approval, determination and other requirement in the operating record together with those records identified in sections 17896.45 and 17896.46.

(d) Some of the standards contained in this Chapter authorize the EA to approve an alternative method of compliance with the standard. These provisions are not intended to allow the EA to change the particular standard, but are intended to allow the EA flexibility to approve, in advance, an alternative method of meeting the existing standard which provides equivalent protection of the public health and safety and the environment as the existing standard. For facilities that require a full solid waste facility permit, the EA may choose to include the approved alternative method of compliance as a term and condition of the solid waste facility permit, rather than in the manner authorized by subdivision (c) of this section. If the method is included in the solid waste facility permit, a change to the method may require a revision to the solid waste facility permit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Title 27, Division 2, Subdivision 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 3, Articles 2, 3, and 3.1 (commencing with section 21570).