Where do these rumors stem from?
Why, from the rumour network of course!
There have been scattered bits and pieces of information regarding this. I read an article a while back which was thoroughly optimistic about it, but it seems like the hold up is FAA not wanting to recognise EASA/JAA licences. Ref.
this article, for example.
Hard to tell, but new FCL coming in April 2012 - with the possibility for member states to withhold crediting until 2014 - which may be the year there is a new bilateral agreement between EASA and FAA.
Again, these are vague rumours.. there's also a thread on pprune on this..