An Open Letter to Giant Eagle: Natural Gas Isn't Green

Dear Giant Eagle, Inc:

Let me start off by saying that while I don't think you're a person, the Supreme Court does, and that's why I've chosen the expression "dear," because I'm sure you've convinced yourself that you have all the rights of real human beings. After all, why shouldn't you? There are at least five justices on the Supreme Court as we speak that are more than willing to defend that notion, but forgive me, I digress.

Before we go any further, let me admit to you without any significant regret that I am a routine, and I'm sure, a valued customer of yours. 70-80% (a rough guesstimate) of my diet is described by organic foods. I thank you for your determination to provide myself and people with the same environmental and physical health concerns with largely untainted whole foods, frozen and boxed goods.

That being said, your prices are at times ludicrous. Your displays, in particular, are deceptive and misleading. I was in your Washington, PA store just the other day and saw a nice bag of organic red grapes. $3.99 I thought I read, but at check-out the scanner charged $8.38. When I challenged that price with one of your employees (she was polite), I learned that the grapes were $3.99 a pound, and I had failed to notice you were only selling 2 lb bags. Really? Who needs 2 lbs of grapes to begin with? Something tells me you purposely want customers to overlook these instances when stocking up their kitchen with enough food for 2 weeks. I'm sure in some cases folks don't notice their mistake until sitting at home reviewing their receipt.

Then there's the innocent looking "Organic Apples" display. I wonder how many customers greet that fantastic lie with so much excitement that they fail to look at the code sticker on each individual apple they pick up for purchase (you know, to identify whether the apple's been sprayed with chemicals, genetically modified or actually is organic)? I'm all for individual responsibility, but I gotta say, Giant Eagle, that's some pretty tricky marketing.

And amidst all the incessant examples of sale-on-display to check-out counter discrepancies--which when unnoticed probably account for millions in profits every year--your now on record promoting the falsehood that claims natural gas is green.

The simple and plain truth about natural gas is that it is a dirty energy, not a clean one. The data on this axiom is endless: cleaner than coal, but barely. Bottom line, though natural gas "burns cleaner than other fuels and releases lower carbon dioxide emissions," the methods of extraction, namely "fracking," do enough damage to counter the current-administration-touted-positives. While the Great Capitulator, President Obama, addresses the environmental concerns, his urging for incrementalism weakens the likelihood of a successful transition from "cleaner" dirty energy to genuine clean energy. Besides, how much time does the political elite think we have to save ourselves? Are we to believe this farce that after we prop up the natural gas industry with subsidies, tax breaks and rhetorical encouragement from the political class, that the financially robust industry will make way for clean alternatives without an enormous fight in Washington? Just look at the health care reform battle of 2009 for a political parallel.

I know there are millions in this country who disagree with the position that I and many others of the same understanding subscribe to. A quote that refutes the infinite value of popular opinion? "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

Giant Eagle, Inc, I think you would do the Mid-Atlantic well by implementing true clean energy initiatives. Here are a few suggestions: install solar panels on the roofs of all stores (including the small Get-n-Go gas station stores and the roofs above the pumps and), install charging stations for electric/hybrid vehicles at applicable gas stations (I understand the numbers aren't there yet in some areas in terms of electric/hybrid vehicles on the road) and install/utilize clean energy sources at all Giant Eagle manufacturing warehouses. As a fairly large provider of jobs and consumer needs, Giant Eagle, these initiatives could make a real impact and a huge difference for the future.

One of your many valued customers,

Derek Postlewaite
Meadow Lands, PA