# Energy Regulatory Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-79-026  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1979-08-02

PI-79-026 response to Energy Regulatory Commission concerning 192.555.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

August 2, 1979
Mr. E. Scott Smith
Chief Engineer, Gas Section
Energy Regulatory Commission
Post Office Box 615
Frankfort, Kentucky 40602
Dear Mr. Smith:
Thank you for your letter of June 8, 1979, requesting an interpretation of the term "uprating."
You inquire if increasing the pressure in a distribution line to 17 psi which had been in operation
for 48 years at a pressure of 5 1/2 ounces can be classified as an "uprating."
The regulations prescribing requirements for uprating (Sections 192.555 and 192.557) are
applicable to pipelines which are intended to operate at a pressure higher than the current
maximum allowable operating pressure established under 49 CFR 192.619. Therefore, if the
established maximum allowable operating pressure for the line in question is less than 17 psi, then
the line is subject to the uprating regulations of Subpart K.
I trust that this responds adequately to your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Cesar DeLeon
Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation
Materials Transportation Bureau
dal\192\555\79-08-02
1

<<<PAGE 2>>>

June 8, 1979
Cesar DeLeon
Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulations
DMT-30
2100 2nd Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Sir:
Would you please provide the Kentucky Energy Regulatory Commission with an
interpretation of uprating a natural gas distribution system. This is per a telephone conversation
with our gas section representative on June 8, 1979.
The incident in question related to a local distribution company increasing pressure from
approximately 5 1/2 ounces on a line that had been in service for 48 years to 17 pounds.
An early response to this request would be greatly appreciated and very beneficial for our
efforts to set this case for a hearing within the next 3 or 4 weeks.
Yours very truly,
ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
E. Scott Smith
Chief Engineer, Gas Section
dal\192\555\79-08-02
2

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1979/PI79026.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `fe108abeff8df11decc4f8e3201aedc7f856a85e4d8f54c42facc7d1a6501264`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T01:11:01.404Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-79-026`

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```