A permittee or lessee may, upon the approval of the commission and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 3700) of Division 3, drill special wells, convert producing wells or reactivate and convert abandoned wells for the sole purpose of reinjecting geothermal resources or the residue thereof. If the lessee realizes a profit on such operations or if the geothermal resources proposed for reinjection are produced from other than state leased lands, then the commission may charge such consideration as is determined to be in the public interest, not to exceed the net profits or royalties payable under the lease.

(Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1139.)