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In 1979 Congress authorized construction of the facility. In addition to formal authorization, Congress redefined the level of waste to be stored in the WIPP from [[High level waste|high temperature]] to [[Transuranic waste|transuranic]], or low level, waste. Transuranic waste often consists of materials which have come in contact with radioactive substances such as [[plutonium]] and [[uranium]]. This often includes gloves, tools, rags, and assorted machinery often used in the production of [[nuclear fuel]] and [[Nuclear weapon|weapons]]. Although much less potent than nuclear reactor byproducts, this waste still remains radioactive for approximately 24,000 years. This change in classification led to a decrease in safety parameters for the proposed facility, allowing construction to continue at a faster pace.