# Montana-Dakota Utilities Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-89-003  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1989-03-31

PI-89-003 response to Montana-Dakota Utilities Company concerning 192.457, 192.463, 192.755.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Mr. Tony J. Finneman
Montana-Dakota Utilities Company
400 North Fourth Street
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
Dear Mr. Finneman:
You have asked whether an operator who voluntarily places a cathodic protection system on a gas
pipeline installed prior to August 1, 1971, with no evidence of active corrosion must provide a
level of protection according to the criteria in Appendix D of Part 192. A corrosion mitigation
measure that is provided as a general maintenance practice would result in these pipelines being
considered "unprotected" for purposes of Section 192.463 and the 3-year reevaluation
requirement of §192.465(e). The Appendix D criteria apply to cathodic protection that is
provided to comply with regulations in Subpart I or Part 192.
In determining whether the Federal regulations require cathodic protection in the scenario
outlined in your letter, you should assure that your program properly addressed all the
requirements of the regulations, such as using the definition of active corrosion under
§192.457(c). Also, in determining whether the electrical survey required by §192.457(b)(3) and
§192.465(e) is impractical, you must consider all factors that relate to the impracticality, including
public safety, not just economics. Copies of related interpretations published in OPS Advisory
Bulletins are enclosed for guidance in implementing your program.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Beam
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
NOTE: THIS LETTER BELONGS IN APPENDIX "D"
DB
C:\WP51\INTERPRT\192\755\89-03-31
1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1989/PI89003.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `a4b710b28a88af02938598c2fc7c73d7d0040e6306f923113abc7ac42043ded9`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T18:02:56.140Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-89-003`

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