Ted Cruz listed as only climate policy 'hero' by Koch brothers-backed group

American Energy Alliance scorecard ranks 2016 candidates in one of several tactics to test hopefuls on issues of concern to the billionaire industrialists

A conservative group backed by the billionaire Koch brothers and their wealthy allies boasts a scorecard on its website that rates the presidential candidates based on their opposition to policies meant to tackle climate change, such as EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, a renewable fuels standard, and a tax credit that benefits wind energy.

Texas senator Ted Cruz scored the highest rating on the American Energy Alliance site, which labelled him a "hero" due in part to his opposition to regulation and taxes. Cruz was followed on the scorecard by four other Republican candidates - Florida senator Marco Rubio, ex-Florida governor Jeb Bush, ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Kentucky senator Rand Paul, who were named as "defenders".