Significant crack detected in French nuclear reactor pipe A significant crack has been discovered in one of France's nuclear sites, on an emergency cooling system pipe. The reactor was not operational and the incident had no environmental impact. But it is the latest mishap to plague the nuclear energy sector, at a time when the French government is working to boost production. France's nuclear regulator has ordered energy company EDF to revise the way it addresses corrosion problems. EDF has told FRANCE 24's Science Editor Shirli Sitbon it is already examining an overhaul.