Sorry if this is the wrong forum, Genghis, but I found this quite interesting
http://www.faa.gov/apa/pr/pr.cfm?id=1833
Must admit that I never knew that the FAA had an Office of Commercial Space Transportation
But...
While the highest criteria to issue a license is public safety, applicants must undergo an extensive pre-application process, demonstrate adequate financial responsibility to cover any potential losses, and meet strict environmental requirements.
...may not be good for some of the other X-prize entries?