i think there a couple of factors that hinder the US scene.

first, radio and mtv...these are the major sources of music for most people in the states. if it isn't available on either of these, the majority of the people aren't gonna hear it. and, let's face it, MOST people consider music as either background noise or something to listen to when they go out on the weekends. one fact i had to face years ago was that most people are not absolutely consumed by music, but simply consumers of it. plus the fact that the music industry in this country is really owned by and large by several gigantic corporations who control the airwaves and what gets played on them.

second, the size of the country...we have little pockets (hot spots, if you will) where there are groups of people really into techno, but as a whole the country is too large for techno to really take hold on a bigger scale. add to that the mediocrity of the music that gets out into the public at large, and you have a tough nut to crack.

america has never really been into difficult forms of music either. if it doesn't fit into the verse chorus verse mindset, or requires a more discerning ear, most don't give it the time of day. i keep hearing from people "but it sounds like the same song for an hour and a half". they don't understand subtlety AT ALL (and yes, i believe even hard banging techno requires some subtlety when mixing), which makes it difficult to snag the casual listener.

as far as american artists go, here are my picks:

bryan zentz
adam jay
shawn rudiman
tim xavier
gabe palomo
matt french
dustin zahn
ian lehman
virulent
kage
drumcell
matthew dear
paul birken
locutus
woody mcbride

that's what i can think of off the top of my head...