Ohio Giant Eagle conserves energy

The state has only one other 'green building.'
BRUNSWICK, Ohio (AP) -- Giant Eagle is going green.
The Pittsburgh-based grocer has opened a new store in Northeast Ohio that it hopes will become the nation's first food store with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate. That's the nationally recognized standard for environmentally conscious, or "green" buildings as determined by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council in Washington, D.C.
There are only 108 "green buildings" nationwide and only one other in Ohio, the federal courthouse in Youngstown.
Giant Eagle said the 80,000-square-foot store will be 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical grocery store. It's made with recycled materials, bathed in sunlight, ventilated with fresh air and cleaned with nontoxic detergents.
The company expects energy savings will help it recoup the $250,000 it cost to make the store environmentally friendly, said Kevin Srigley, vice president of marketing.
"We put some of our most innovative stores in Northeast Ohio because we are interested not only in maintaining our market share, but growing it," he said.
Rival Tops Friendly Markets LLC of Williamsville, N.Y., said its stores also feature energy efficient lights, heating and cooling systems and energy-saving practices.
"We've heard of all this stuff," said Tops Energy Manager Dan Jaszka. "We've had an energy program since the mid-'70s when the first energy crisis came about."
First of its kind
Because Giant Eagle is the only grocer in the U.S. seeking LEED certification, "it most likely will be the first," said Taryn Holowka, spokeswoman for the Green Building Council.
The council grants different levels of certification based on how well buildings save energy, conserve water, use and recycle materials and promote a healthy indoor environment. The agency doesn't make on-site visits but instead relies on testimony from building inspectors and other experts.
Being LEED-certified "demonstrates a corporate commitment on the part of the building's owner to reduce the environmental impact of the building," said council lead engineer Brendan Owens. "And because LEED buildings have better indoor environments, it also demonstrates a commitment to the people who work there and shop there."
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