If you want to speak about Georgia Power’s latest proposed rate hike, you have a couple of opportunities this week and next, including one today in Gainesville.

Georgia Watch and the Sierra Club are combining to host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at Brenau Downtown Center, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville, to discuss the rate proposal.

Georgia Power requested a $478 million hike along with a new fee on property owners installing solar panels on their homes and businesses.

The alternative rate plan would be about $7.84 more each month for the average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, and would take effect Jan. 1.

The Georgia Public Service Commission will vote on the proposed rate hike Dec. 17.

Public Service Commissioners Lauren McDonald, Chuck Eaton and Tim Echols are expected to attend, along with representatives of Georgia Watch and the Sierra Club. Local elected officials also have been invited.

Also, the Public Service Commission has scheduled a second round of hearings on the proposal Nov. 5-7 in Atlanta.

Those hearings will start after a regular administrative session at 10 a.m. Nov. 5 in Room 110 at 244 Washington St. SW in Atlanta. Additional hearings will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 6 and 7 if needed.