Why are Electric Meters Grounded Street-Side?

hi,

why don't you ask him (the city inspector) directly?

The City Inspector probably doesn't know the actual reason. He just knows that the city changed it to this way and so he makes sure its done this way.

I've only met a couple of City inspectors in my area that actually have any clue to why things are done the way they are done.

See above answer.

They Point out its in the code. In other words, "not for Me to reason why"

In answer to the first part of your question, see the first two answers.

In answer to your second part of the question, the utility company serving you is a separately derived system, owned and maintained by the utility company. It has its own rules, codes and regulations (for very good reasons). The short answer would be: Yes it is properly grounded.

There is a reason to isolate the power company ground from the building ground. Mostly feedback power on the ground from the utility company because of failure or lighting. For more detail I recommend Soars Grounding Book.

In conclusion, this is not the first time I have heard an inspector or other people confused about how a building should be grounded. This area is a de-mark of where the utility company ends and where your ownership begins. Eventually someone will point out the problems with his recommendation and it will go away.