IAEA worries about nuclear plants

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it's concerned about the safety of the world's nuclear power plants as 80 percent are more than 20 years old. The UN nuclear watchdog sent a draft of its annual report to member countries. The final report will be made public at its general assembly in September, Japan's NHK website reported. The draft says 80 percent of the 435 facilities in operation were more than two decades old at the end of last year. Forty-three percent are between 20 and 29 years old. Thirty-two percent are 30 to 39 years old, and 5 percent are older than 40 years. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said nuclear power should remain a major energy resource as long as safety of facilities is strictly monitored. The agency wants cooperation from member countries to examine their nuclear plants in a bid to reinforce safety standards.