Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan Wednesday to avoid lengthy lines at gas stations, which were seen after Hurricane Sandy, in the future.

He wants about one-third of the state's gas stations to prewire for backup generators so their pumps would stay operational, even if the power is out.

The federal government would pick up most of the cost, but the stations would have to pay to get the generators delivered, and then to get them working within 24 hours of an emergency outage.

"We had fuel in the tanks at the gas stations, but the pumps in the gas station operate on electricity, and the electricity was out, so they couldn't pump the fuel from the tanks that were at the gas stations," Cuomo said. "This initiative will allow the gas stations to have generators. The generators can then, obviously, pump the fuel that is in the tanks."

The goal is to keep stations open within one-half of a mile from a highway or an evacuation route.

Some drivers NY1 talked to liked the idea.

"I think it's right because we had so many problems that had to do with the gas," said one. "We were making huge lines that lasted hours just for gas, and it was horrible for us."

The proposal is part of the governor's latest executive budget.

The state legislature is expected to make a decision on it before April.