Giant Eagle Debuts Pa.'s First 'Green' Supermarket
PITTSBURGH -- A remodeled 67,000-square-foot Giant Eagle store that opened yesterday in the Shadyside neighborhood here is the state's first certified "green" supermarket, designed to consume 20 percent less energy than comparable conventional stores.
The new Giant Eagle unit employs such features as increased insulation and integrated natural lighting, and all of its electricity is produced by green energy sources, among them wind power, the chain said.
"Innovative companies such as Giant Eagle are making Pennsylvania more competitive, revitalizing communities, and strengthening the state's position as a leader in energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy solutions - a major goal of the Energy Independence Strategy Gov. Edward G. Rendell introduced earlier this year," said Kathleen A. McGinty attended the opening ceremony.
Additional features include advanced water conservation and air quality sensors to ensure fresh, clean air throughout the store. No-ozone-depleting refrigerants in the location's refrigeration and cooling systems result in improved air quality, as do the use of adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting, and wood products that are low in volatile organic compounds.
"This is a unique and beautiful supermarket," noted McGinty. "All of the green technologies add up to a better environment for Giant Eagle's customers and for all of us in Pennsylvania."
The store has already garnered an award, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified Commercial Interior designation, indicating that it met a broad array of environmental performance benchmarks. LEED is a national green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
In February Giant Eagle received the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. In 2004 it opened the world's first LEED-certified supermarket, in Ohio.
The new Giant Eagle unit employs such features as increased insulation and integrated natural lighting, and all of its electricity is produced by green energy sources, among them wind power, the chain said.
"Innovative companies such as Giant Eagle are making Pennsylvania more competitive, revitalizing communities, and strengthening the state's position as a leader in energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy solutions - a major goal of the Energy Independence Strategy Gov. Edward G. Rendell introduced earlier this year," said Kathleen A. McGinty attended the opening ceremony.
Additional features include advanced water conservation and air quality sensors to ensure fresh, clean air throughout the store. No-ozone-depleting refrigerants in the location's refrigeration and cooling systems result in improved air quality, as do the use of adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting, and wood products that are low in volatile organic compounds.
"This is a unique and beautiful supermarket," noted McGinty. "All of the green technologies add up to a better environment for Giant Eagle's customers and for all of us in Pennsylvania."
The store has already garnered an award, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified Commercial Interior designation, indicating that it met a broad array of environmental performance benchmarks. LEED is a national green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
In February Giant Eagle received the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. In 2004 it opened the world's first LEED-certified supermarket, in Ohio.