Typically LEED Online is not really "client-ready" until about version 3 of the forms. (The reality is that some v2009 LEED Online forms are in version 6 right now because the first 5 versions had issues.) It is difficult to encourage a client to take a bold step towards being more sustainable when the tools are not in good shape yet.

The extra time will give USGBC/GBCI a chance to get tools (and the reference guide) into good shape for when they have a higher volume of submissions through the program in 2016.

I'm not sure if it's actually the industry holding up the process - although they are the obvious easy scapegoat. :) Putting out an updated version of LEED at the scale the USGBC does it is no tiny feat - so it makes sense things are more delayed on their end than they anticipated. Best of luck to all working on it!