Written by Greg Moberly, The Union

Nevada City leaders joined Grass Valley Wednesday night by calling for a regional air quality summit addressing concerns that Sacramento pollution has created health problems for western Nevada County.
“We view the proposed summit as a wonderful opportunity to join with neighboring communities,” said Marina Bernheimer, a co-founder of Save the Air in Nevada County, a nonprofit group. The fact that the air problem largely results from Sacramento and Bay Area air pollution complicates things but it doesn’t mean locals shouldn’t seek a solution, she said.

Nevada City Council members unanimously agreed to resolution citing the air quality concerns and calling for the summit.

Grass Valley basically passed the same resolution at its council meeting last week after some previous concerns about the resolution’s language.

Grass Valley city officials would take the lead by organizing the summit.

“I’m glad to see we’re doing something about it,” said Councilman Steve Cottrell referring to the air quality concerns.

Federal, state, regional and local officials all would be part of the regional air quality summit, according to the resolution. No date for the summit is set.