The snippet was taken from a documentary that the association itself posted on YouTube and a takedown notice led to the ad being yanked off the popular video-sharing site over the weekend. CEI has since put the ad, which addresses the importance of affordable energy, on its own Web site.

The CEI spot aired in a dozen cities in the last two weeks. It comes just before Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection is expected to launch a major ad blitz for his global warming proposals. "Electric co-ops receive massive government subsidies, and the association’s move appears motivated by global warming politics," CEI argued.

CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman said NRECA's copyright claim is without merit. "Our use of this miniscule amount of material – from a film which NRECA itself posted on YouTube and distributes freely – meets every criterion of 'fair use.'" No word yet from NRECA on the copyright controversy.