Alan- You'd be great as a speaker. (at least, I like your ideas quite a bit). We have 24 people speaking in 2+ days and its going to be whirlwind as it is. We actually cant quite fit in everyone we'd like to, but there's always 2007, Peak Oil willing and the creeks dont rise..
Any CHEAP hotels in the DC area close to a Metro station ?

I want stay several days (despite missing weekend #2 of JazzFest).


It depends on your definition of 'cheap', and your definition of 'close'.

Typically anything directly adjacent to a station is going to be more expensive.  The ones downtown are going to be quite pricey, and the ones further out tend to be cheaper.

Close - Within 1 mile (walking distance) of a rail stop.

Perhaps Baltimore and commute from there ?

Hopefully, about $100/night, or less.

Find station addresses on www.wmata.com and compare them to the hotel addresses on Expedia:

These are all suburban at or near the end of the metro lines:  Super 8 College Park is $70/night. Comfort Inn in Landover is $75/night.  Red Roof in Springfield is $78.50/night.  New Carrollton Hotel is $79/night.  Comfort Inn Shady Grove is $99/night, but I know you need a car to get to Shady Grove station.

Super 8 Downtown DC near Gallaudet College for $86/night.  It got a poor rating, but you could take a metrobus to the New York Avenue metro station, which is half a mile away.