ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues clearance from gas meter and regulator

Sure it does. If someone were to plug in a piece of electrical equipment at the receptacle while it was in the on position, there would be an arc at the connection point.

I suppose if receptacles are used as disconnects in "their intended modes of use or operation" this might apply but it is clear the NFPA 54 people don't talk to the NFPA 70 people very often.
I am still not sure why a gas meter, piped in with threaded black iron pipe is more likely to leak than a space heater hooked to a bent up piece of CSST but I guess that is why I am not the plumbing inspector.

Greg, it's not a question of the meter "leaking." Rather, it's a concern over the gas that is naturally released as part of the operation of the regulator, or if the diaphragm in the regulator should fail.

Keep in mind that the regulator at the meter is there to reduce the pressure from the main. This is a much higher pressure than the pressure seen at the appliance.