Despite Fisker Automotive suspending work at its Newport-area factory in April Delaware taxpayers have shelled out $400-thousand to pay for the plant’s utility bills.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that the Markell administration says it must make payments under the $9 million deal with the California based hybrid car maker.
The auto company says even though it has laid off dozens of workers and keeps only a small maintenance team the power is necessary to ensure the valuable equipment inside is in good shape.
Governor Jack Markell has been getting some strong criticism from GOP challenger Jeff Cragg over the Fisker investment.
But Markell maintains that the state investment is still best opportunity to get people back to building cars in the First State.
Work at the plant stalled when the US Department of Energy suspended its payments from a $529 million federal loan after Fisker missed production and sales goals for its first car.
Fisker halted work on the Delaware plant while it renegotiates the federal loan.
