AFP: The United States lifted Wednesday a cap on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline for vehicles for the first time in more than 30 years, calling it a step toward energy independence. In response to a request from the ethanol industry, the US Environmental Protection Agency said it would now allow ethanol to make up 15 percent of vehicle fuel, up from a previous limit of 10 percent — known as the E10 standard. The new E15 limit only applies to cars and light …