Resources Legacy Fund

The Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) is a Sacramento-based organization that helps philanthropic institutions and environmental organizations to become catalysts for protecting, restoring and conserving natural landscapes. The California Desert Solar and Land Conservation Working Group (Working Group) was initiated by RLF and is comprised of representatives of solar energy companies, the electric utility sector, desert conservation groups, environmental groups, and philanthropic entities. Its mission is to "protect ecosystems, landscapes, and species while supporting timely development of solar energy resources in the California desert." This grant supports the Working Group's efforts to advance timely solar development and appropriate land conservation in the California desert by developing a work plan that will eventually lead to the permitting of "shovel-ready" projects by December 2010. This data will allow the solar developers to have the potential to access federal stimulus funds and incentives. The work plan will include effective siting of solar energy production and transmission infrastructure while insuring that the most important landscapes and species of the California desert are protected. It is hoped that this process can also provide a model that can be used across the nation. The Working Group's efforts will be facilitated and coordinated by RLF staff and consultants. (New, $100,000/1; 23% of project budget)