(a) Eighteen-month certification process. The commission shall issue its decision on a geothermal notice as specified in Section 1727 of Article 2 within nine months from the date of accepting such notice, and except as provided in subsection (b), shall issue its final decision on an application within nine months from the date of acceptance of the application, or at such later times as are mutually agreed upon by the commission and the applicant.

(b) Twelve-month certification process. If the applicant can demonstrate at the outset of the proceedings that the project complies with the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 25540.2(a), the commission shall issue its decision within 12 months of the acceptance of the application. Any application filed pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 25540.2(a) shall explicitly state that a commercial resource has been discovered and that a 12-month process is requested.