Solar panels/ Credit: Flickr user needfire

Here in Southern California we’re getting the few drops of rain that constitute the first winter storm of the year. But across the country, baseball games have already been postponed due to snow, and cold temperatures are forcing people to turn on the heat a little early this year. Finding new ways to conserve energy this winter is a smart way to save money.

Every year, the National Mall hosts the finish line of the Solar Decathelon, a competition where students build solar powered cars and race them across the country. But this time around, cars weren’t the focus– the teams were given $100,000 by the Department of Energy to create solar-powered, energy efficient homes instead.

Marketplace reported this morning on the Decathelon ideas that range from using alternative materials like bamboo, to products you can already find at Ikea and Home Depot to better insulate your home.

Alternative energy ideas still face an uphill battle in much of the country. Michigan Public Radio reported on support for restarting a coal-fired plant in the Detroit area, and how a wind turbine plan was scrapped.

But in Ohio there’s a wind turbine in the works. Texas is focusing on natural gas and getting information out about weather-proofing your homes.

Energy is a popular topic on the Ask Your Lawmaker program. Recently, listener Kelly Kidwell asked about energy consumption and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Texas) responded with his viewpoint. Add your questions about energy policy for Congress.

How are you planning to conserve energy this winter?

Nightly Business Report’s Xchange blog details how the program is working so far, and which members of Congress are voicing their support to extend it.

“Today, Senators Diane Feinstein (D-California) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced their support for extending the program. Despite earlier concerns, they are happy with how consumers are using the program, particularly the increase in the number of fuel efficient vehicles purchased.”

But some senators are skeptical, Capitol News Connection reports:

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said she worries any new spending will further burden taxpayers.

“Most of the folks who are buying cars with this program would have probably bought a car. Maybe not today or tomorrow or next week, but probably in the next 18 months,” McCaskill said. “What does that say for demand next year, when this recovery needs to be sustained? Aren’t we just robbing Peter to pay Paul?”

KCRW’s “Which Way LA” spoke with California car dealers who are hoping Cash for Clunkers funding continues.

And for a car-related (and gas-saving) fun fact of the day, NewsHour’s Paul Solman finds out why different makes of cars have the fuel doors on different sides.

Economic Naturalist author Robert Frank explains:

“Putting fuel filler doors on different sides of different cars thus means that some cars can access pumps from the left. And this makes it less likely that drivers will have to wait in line for gas. That benefit greatly outweighs the cost of occasionally pulling up to the wrong side of the pump in a rental car.”