True or False: Proper cathodic protection is only necessary for above-ground storage tanks.

Proper cathodic protection is essential for both above-ground and underground storage tanks. Cathodic protection serves to inhibit corrosion of metal surfaces by making them the cathode of an electrochemical cell. While above-ground tanks are less susceptible to corrosion than those buried, they can still experience corrosion due to environmental factors such as moisture, pollutants, and temperature variations.

Underground storage tanks, however, are particularly vulnerable because they are in direct contact with soil and groundwater, which can contain various corrosive agents. In many cases, regulations require cathodic protection for underground storage tanks to prevent leaks and potential environmental contamination. Thus, the statement that proper cathodic protection is only necessary for above-ground storage tanks is inaccurate, making the answer false.