(a) A person may submit a request for conditional certification for the credit when
(1) the person has conducted or intends to conduct exploration activities using an innovative technique;
(2) there exists a substantial question regarding the nature of the exploration data that will be delivered to the department; or
(3) the person contemplates assigning a credit under AS 27.30.060 and there exists a substantial question regarding whether the expenditures will be certified.
(b) A person shall submit a request for conditional certification on a form provided by the department.
(c) The commissioner shall respond to the request within six months from the date of the submission of the request for conditional certification by issuing a letter stating that
(1) under the specific facts and circumstances proposed by the person, the proposed expenditures and data appear eligible for a credit;
(2) there is not adequate information to determine whether the proposed expenditures and data appear to be eligible for a credit; or
(3) the expenditures and data as presented do not appear to be eligible for a credit.
(d) Approval of conditional certification under (c)(1) of this section does not relieve a person from obtaining certification of the credit under AS 27.30.020.