(1) The following can not be counted as blocks or sub-blocks relinquished for the relinquishment condition--
(a) blocks or sub-blocks in an area that, under section 189, have ceased to be included in the geothermal permit's area;
(b) blocks or sub-blocks the subject of a geothermal lease application or potential geothermal commercial area;
(c) blocks or sub-blocks relinquished under a penalty relinquishment.
(2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that--
(a) a potential geothermal commercial area can be relinquished and can be counted as an area relinquished for the relinquishment condition; but
(b) the mere fact of the declaration of the blocks or sub-blocks as a potential geothermal commercial area for the geothermal permit is not, of itself, a relinquishment.