In a December 16, 2008, article in the National Journal Online, David Herbert quotes a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office spokesperson as stating, "Expanding the Community Patent Review Project [Peer to Patent] could lighten the workload for examiners, a majority of whom favor the program. The larger article discusses the innovative work already undertaken at the U.S. Department of Commerce in employing web-based technology to improve and extend departmental services.
You may read the full article at National Journal Online.