The European Commission has given Germany permission to invest around €3 billion in its hydrogen infrastructure to build long-distance pipelines. The commission on Friday said that the positive effects of the government subsidies would be greater than the potential damage that could be caused by distortions of competition. Germany and other countries are investing in hydrogen as a potentially climate-friendly fuel for use in industry and transport. The European Union generally has strict rules about state support for companies through direct subsidies or tax benefits. The rules are aimed at en…