Georgia Power spokesman Jeff Wilson wrote in an email Monday that the company “believes the plaintiffs’ claims have no merit and the company will continue to vigorously defend itself in this matter.”

He added that Georgia Power will continue to “appropriately collect revenue via the Municipal Franchisee Fee tariff that has been reviewed and approved by the Georgia PSC.”

The judge’s ruling, issued last week, expands the case from five named defendants. They are represented by former top Georgia political leaders from different parties. The suit was filed by Republican ex-House Speaker Glenn Richardson and joined by former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes.

If they win, the ultimate payout won’t be a big financial windfall to individual consumers, Richardson said Monday.

Still, he said, “it is huge for ratepayers who have very little voice in this whole process….It says you can stand up to Georgia Power.”