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                     PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY

         THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Pledge Agreement"), dated as of December
29, 2003, is made BY NEG OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(the "Pledgor"), in favor of BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Collateral Agent (together
with its successor(s) and assign(s) thereto, the "Collateral Agent") for the
Lender Parties (as defined below).

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 2003
(together with all amendments, supplements, restatements and other
modifications, if any, from time to time thereafter made thereto, the "Credit
Agreement"), among the Pledgor, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., as Administrative
Agent, Bank of Texas, N.A., and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Agents, Bank of
Texas, N.A., as Collateral Agent, and the Issuers and the Lenders from time to
time parties thereto, the Issuers and the Lenders have extended credit to the
Borrower by way of Loans and Letters of Credit;

         WHEREAS, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have entered into and/or may
enter into certain Hedging Agreements with certain Lender Parties, pursuant to
the terms of the Credit Agreement;

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making or extension of the
initial Loans and Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement and to the
extension of financial accommodations under the Hedging Agreements referred to
above, the Pledgor is required to execute and deliver this Pledge Agreement;

         WHEREAS, the Pledgor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Pledge Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Pledgor to execute this
Pledge Agreement inasmuch as the Pledgor will derive substantial direct and
indirect benefits from the Loans from time to time made to, and the Letters of
Credit issued on behalf of, it by the Lenders and the Issuers, as the case may
be, pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the extension of financial
accommodations under the Hedging Agreements referred to above.

         NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the Lenders
to make Loans (including the initial Loans) to, and to participate in Letters of
Credit for the benefit of, and to induce the Issuers to issue the Letters of
Credit (including the initial Letter of Credit) for the benefit of the Borrower
pursuant to the Credit Agreement and to induce certain Lender Parties to extend
financial accommodations pursuant to the Hedging Agreements, the Pledgor agrees,
for the benefit of each Lender Party, as follows:


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                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1 Certain Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Pledge Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

         "Borrower" is defined in the first recital.

         "Collateral" is defined in Section 2.1.

         "Collateral Agent" is defined in the preamble.

         "Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.

         "Distributions" means all cash dividends, stock dividends, liquidating
dividends, shares of stock resulting from (or in connection with the exercise
of) stock splits, reclassifications, warrants, options, non-cash dividends,
mergers and consolidations, and all cash distributions or other distributions
made in respect of the Pledged Interests, whether or not income, return of
capital or otherwise, and all other distributions (whether similar or dissimilar
to the foregoing) on or with respect to any Pledged Interests or other rights or
interests constituting Collateral.

         "Indemnified Parties" is defined in Section 6.5.

         "Lender Party" means, as the context may require, any Lender, any
Agent, any Issuer and any Affiliate of any Agent, any Issuer or any Lender, or
other Person that is a party to a Hedging Agreement and is a Lender or an
Affiliate thereof (but only during such time that such Person is a Lender or an
Affiliate of a Lender), and each of their respective successors, transferees and
assigns.

         "Obligors" means, collectively, the Pledgor or any other Person (other
than any Agent, Issuer or Lender) obligated under any Loan Document, including
their permitted successors and assigns, and "Obligor" means any one of them.

         "Pledge Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

         "Pledged Interest Issuer" means each Person identified in Attachment 1
hereto as the issuer of the Pledged Interests identified opposite the name of
such Person.

         "Pledged Interests" means all Equity Interests of any Pledged Interest
Issuer; all Equity Interests issued by Pledgor's subsidiaries as identified in
Attachment 1 hereto; all registrations, certificates, articles or agreements
governing or representing any such interests; all options and other rights,
contractual or otherwise, at any time existing with respect to such interests;
and all distributions, cash, instruments and other property now or hereafter
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of such interests.



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         "Pledged Property" means all Pledged Interests and all other pledged
partnership or membership interests or promissory notes, all other securities,
all assignments of any amounts due or to become due, and all other instruments
which are now being delivered by the Pledgor to the Collateral Agent or may from
time to time hereafter be delivered by the Pledgor to the Collateral Agent for
the purpose of pledge under this Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document;
and all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

         "Pledgor" is defined in the preamble.

         "Secured Obligations" is defined in Section 2.2.

         "Securities Act" is defined in Section 6.2.

         "U.C.C." means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of
New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.

         SECTION 1.2 Credit Agreement Definitions. Unless otherwise defined
herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Pledge Agreement,
including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 1.3 U.C.C. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or the
context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in the U.C.C.
are used in this Pledge Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, with
such meanings.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                     PLEDGE

         SECTION 2.1 Grant of Security Interest. The Pledgor hereby pledges,
hypothecates, assigns, charges, mortgages, delivers and transfers to the
Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the ratable benefit of each of the Lender
Parties, and hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the
ratable benefit of each of the Lender Parties, a continuing security interest in
all of the Pledgor's right, title and interest, whether now existing or
hereafter arising or acquired, in and to the following property (the
"Collateral"): (a) all Pledged Interests identified in Attachment 1 hereto; (b)
all other Pledged Interests issued from time to time; (c) all other Pledged
Property, whether now or hereafter delivered to the Collateral Agent in
connection with this Pledge Agreement; (d) all Distributions, interest, and
other payments and rights with respect to any Pledged Property; and (e) all
proceeds of any of the foregoing.

         SECTION 2.2 Security for Obligations. This Pledge Agreement secures the
indefeasible payment in full and performance of all Obligations now or hereafter
existing under the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document, whether for
principal, interest, costs, fees, expenses or otherwise, and all other
obligations of the Pledgor and each other Obligor to any Lender Party, now or
hereafter owing, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or
indirect, primary or secondary, fixed or absolute or contingent, joint or
several, or now or hereinafter existing or due or to become due, and all
obligations of the Pledgor now or hereafter existing under this Pledge Agreement
and each other Loan Document to which it is or may



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become a party (all such Obligations and other obligations of the Pledgor and
each other Obligor being the "Secured Obligations").

         SECTION 2.3 Delivery of Pledged Property.

         SECTION 2.3.1 All certificates or instruments representing or
evidencing any Collateral, including all Pledged Interests, shall be delivered
to and held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto, shall be in
suitable form for transfer by delivery, and shall be accompanied by all
necessary endorsements or instruments of transfer or assignment, duly executed
in blank.

         SECTION 2.3.2 To the extent any of the Collateral constitutes a
"certificated security" (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the U.C.C.), an
"uncertificated security" (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the U.C.C.) or
a "security entitlement" (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the U.C.C.), the
Pledgor shall cause the issuer thereof or the securities intermediary thereof to
take all actions necessary or as requested by the Collateral Agent to grant
"control" (as defined in Section 8-106 of the U.C.C.) of such Collateral to the
Collateral Agent over such Collateral.

         SECTION 2.4 Distributions on Pledged Interests. In the event that any
Distribution is to be paid on any Pledged Interests at a time when no Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, such Distribution or payment may be paid
directly to the Pledgor. If any such Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, then any such Distribution or payment shall be paid directly to the
Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the ratable benefit of each of the Lender
Parties.

         SECTION 2.5 Continuing Security Interest. This Pledge Agreement shall
create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in
full force and effect until indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Secured
Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Commitments and all other
commitments of the Lender Parties to the Pledgor and the other Obligors pursuant
to any Loan Document, and the termination or expiration of all Letters of
Credit; (b) be binding upon the Pledgor and its successors, transferees and
assigns; and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral
Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and of the other Lender
Parties and their respective successors, transferees, and assigns. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), any Lender may assign or
otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) any Loan held by it as provided in
Section 10.12 of the Credit Agreement and any Lender Party may assign or
otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) its interest pursuant to any Hedging
Agreement, and any successor or assignee shall thereupon become vested with all
the rights and benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender Party under
any Loan Document (including this Pledge Agreement), or otherwise, subject,
however, to any contrary provisions in such assignment or transfer, and as
applicable to the provisions of Section 10.12 and Article IX of the Credit
Agreement, and, with respect to the Hedging Agreements, the limitation on rights
in collateral pursuant to the Security Documents. Upon the indefeasible payment
in full in cash of all Secured Obligations and the termination or expiration of
all Commitments and any other commitments of any Lender Party to the Borrower
and the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the security
interest granted herein shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall
revert to the Pledgor. Upon any such payment and



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termination or expiration, the Collateral Agent will, at the Pledgor's sole
expense, deliver to the Pledgor, without any representations, warranties or
recourse of any kind whatsoever, all certificates and instruments representing
or evidencing all Pledged Shares, together with all other Collateral held by the
Collateral Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to the Pledgor such
documents as the Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

         SECTION 2.6 Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Collateral
Agent and the other Lender Parties and the security interests granted to the
Collateral Agent and the other Lender Parties hereunder, and all obligations of
the Pledgor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of (a)
any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document; (b) the failure of any Lender Party (i) to assert any claim or demand
or to enforce any right or remedy against the Borrower, any other Obligor or any
other Person under the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any Loan Document
or otherwise, or (ii) to exercise any right or remedy against any other
guarantor of, or collateral securing, any Secured Obligations; (c) any change in
the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of
the Secured Obligations or any other extension, compromise or renewal of any
Secured Obligation; (d) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of
any Secured Obligations for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release,
surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to (and the
Pledgor hereby waives any right to or claim of) any defense or setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity,
illegality, nongenuineness, irregularity, compromise, unenforceability of, or
any other event or occurrence affecting, any Secured Obligations; (e) any
amendment to, rescission, waiver, or other modification of, or any consent to
departure from, any of the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document; (f) any addition, exchange, release, surrender, or non-perfection of
any collateral (including the Collateral), or any amendment to or waiver or
release of or addition to or consent to departure from any guaranty, for any of
the Secured Obligations; or (g) any other circumstances which might otherwise
constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the
Borrower, any other Obligor, any surety or any guarantor.

         SECTION 2.7 Waiver of Subrogation. Until the indefeasible payment in
full of all Obligations and the termination or expiration of all Commitments and
the termination and expiration of all Letters of Credit, the Pledgor hereby
irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter
acquire against the Borrower or any other Obligor that arise from the existence,
payment, performance or enforcement of the Pledgor's obligations under this
Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any right of subrogation,
reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, any right to participate in any
claim or remedy of any Lender Party against the Borrower or any other Obligor or
any collateral which any Lender Party now has or hereafter acquires, whether or
not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or
common law, including the right to take or receive from the Borrower or any
other Obligor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off
or in any manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights.
If any amount shall be paid to the Pledgor in violation of the preceding
sentence and the Secured Obligations shall not have been indefeasibly paid in
full in cash and all Commitments and all other commitments by any Lender Party
to the Borrower have not been terminated or all Letters of Credit have not
terminated or expired, then such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to the
Pledgor for the benefit of, and held in trust for, the Collateral Agent (on
behalf of the Lender Parties), and shall



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forthwith be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited and applied upon the
Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 3.1 Warranties, etc. The Pledgor represents and warrants unto
each Lender Party as set forth in this Article III.

         SECTION 3.2 [Reserved].

         SECTION 3.3 [Reserved].

         SECTION 3.4 [Reserved].

         SECTION 3.5 Ownership, No Liens, etc. The Pledgor is the legal and
beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to (and has full right and
authority to pledge and assign) the Collateral, free and clear of all Liens,
security interests, options, or other charges or encumbrances, except any Lien
or security interest granted pursuant hereto in favor of the Collateral Agent
and except as permitted to the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 3.6 State of Incorporation Name. (a) The first paragraph of
this Pledge Agreement lists the true legal name of the Pledgor as registered in
the jurisdiction in which the Pledgor is organized, formed or incorporated; (b)
the Pledgor's state of incorporation, formation or organization, its
organization identification number as designated by the state of its
incorporation, formation or organization, and its principal place of business
(or, if it has more than one place of business, its chief executive office) are
as set forth on Attachment 4 to this Pledge Agreement delivered by the Pledgor;
and (c) the Pledgor is not now and has not been known by any trade name. The
Pledgor has not been known by any legal name different from the one set forth on
the signature page hereto, nor has the Pledgor been the subject of any merger or
other corporate reorganization.

         SECTION 3.7 Valid Security Interest. No real property owned by the
Pledgor is encumbered by a Lien except such real property as is encumbered by a
Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lender Parties.

         SECTION 3.8 As to Pledged Interests. All of the Pledged Interests
constitute one hundred percent (100%) of the Pledgor's interest in the Pledged
Interests Issuer and the percentage of the total membership, partnership and/or
other equity interests in the Pledged Interests Issuer indicated on Attachment
1. The Pledgor has no Subsidiary other than as set forth in Item 6.8 of the
Disclosure Schedule to the Credit Agreement. The Pledged Interests are duly
registered in the permanent ownership records of the Pledged Interests Issuer
and clearly show the Collateral Agent's security interest for the benefit of
each Lender Party, and such registration is maintained in the principal office
of such Pledged Interests Issuer. Such registration continues valid and genuine
and has not been altered. All Pledged Interests have been duly authorized and
validly issued and registered, are fully paid and non-assessable, and were not
issued in violation of the preemptive rights, if any, of any Person or of any
agreement by which the Pledgor is



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bound. All documentary, stamp or other taxes or fees owing in connection with
the registration, issuance, transfer or pledge of Collateral have been paid. No
restrictions or conditions exist with respect to the registration, transfer,
voting or capital of any Pledged Interests. The Pledged Interests constitute the
percentage of ownership as indicated on Attachment 1. The Pledgor has no
outstanding rights, rights to subscribe, options, warrants or convertible
securities outstanding or any other rights outstanding whereby any Person would
be entitled to acquire member interests or units of any Pledged Interest Issuer.
All requisite formalities for the granting of a security interest in the Pledged
Interests required pursuant to the organic documents of the Pledgor or of the
Pledged Interest Issuer have been complied with on or prior to the execution and
delivery of this Pledge Agreement.

         SECTION 3.9 Authorization, Approval, etc. No authorization, approval or
other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority,
regulatory body or any other Person is required either (a) for the pledge by the
Pledgor of any Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement or for the
execution, delivery and performance of this Pledge Agreement by the Pledgor; or
(b) for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights
provided for in this Pledge Agreement, or for the remedies in respect of the
Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement, except as may be required in
connection with a disposition of Pledged Interests by laws and regulations
affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

         SECTION 3.10 Compliance with Laws. The Pledgor is in compliance with
the requirements of all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the
provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act), rules, regulations and orders of
every governmental authority, the noncompliance of which might materially
adversely affect the business, properties, assets, operations, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Pledgor or the value of the
Collateral or the worth of the Collateral as collateral security.

         SECTION 3.11 Certificated Nature of Equity Interests. All membership,
partnership or other equity interest in each Pledged Interest Issuer that are
represented by certificates have been delivered to the Collateral Agent and are
held in its possession, together with transfer documents as required in this
Pledge Agreement (and the Pledgor covenants and agrees that any certificates or
instruments evidencing all membership, partnership or other equity interest in
each Pledged Interest Issuer hereafter received by the Pledgor with respect to
any of the Collateral will be held in trust for the Collateral Agent and
promptly delivered to the Collateral Agent).

         SECTION 3.12 [Reserved].

         SECTION 3.13 [Reserved].

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

         SECTION 4.1 Certain Covenants. The Pledgor covenants and agrees that,
so long as any portion of the Secured Obligations shall remain unpaid or any
Lender shall have any outstanding Commitment or any Lender Party shall have
outstanding any other commitment to any Obligor under any Loan Document or any
Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the



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Pledgor will, unless all of the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in
writing, perform the obligations set forth in this Section 4.1.

         SECTION 4.1.1 Protect Collateral; Further Assurances, etc. The Pledgor
will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise), transfer, pledge,
encumber in any other manner or otherwise dispose of the Collateral (except as
permitted by the Credit Agreement). The Pledgor will warrant and defend the
right and title herein granted to the Collateral Agent in and to the Collateral
(and all right, title, and interest represented by the Collateral) against the
claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever. The Pledgor agrees that at any
time, and from time to time, at the reasonable expense of the Pledgor, the
Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments, and take all
further action that may be necessary or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably
request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise
and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.
The Pledgor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Collateral
Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, it will not permit any Pledged
Interests Issuer, or vote its interest in the Pledged Interests in a way that
allows such Pledged Interests Issuer, to (a) make any amendments to the articles
of organization or operating agreement or partnership agreement or any other
organic agreement of the Pledged Interests Issuer, or (b) enter in any other
agreements which, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, in its sole and
absolute discretion, will reduce the value of the Collateral. The Pledgor agrees
that, upon the acquisition after the date hereof by the Pledgor of any
Collateral, with respect to which the security interest granted hereunder is not
perfected automatically upon such acquisition, to take such actions with respect
to such Collateral or any part thereof as required by the Loan Documents.

         SECTION 4.1.2 Certificates, etc.

                  (a) The Pledgor agrees that all certificates or other
         instruments evidencing Pledged Interests delivered by the Pledgor
         pursuant to this Pledge Agreement will be accompanied by duly executed
         undated blank transfer powers, in substantially the form attached
         hereto as Attachment 3, or other equivalent instruments of transfer
         acceptable to the Collateral Agent. The Pledgor will, from time to time
         upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, promptly deliver
         to the Collateral Agent duly executed undated blank transfer powers in
         substantially the form attached hereto as Attachment 3, instruments,
         and similar documents, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
         the Collateral Agent, with respect to the Collateral as the Collateral
         Agent may reasonably request and will, from time to time upon the
         request of the Collateral Agent after the occurrence of any Event of
         Default, promptly transfer any Pledged Interests into the name of any
         nominee designated by the Collateral Agent.

                  (b) The Pledgor agrees that (i) the Collateral Agent may
         notify the Pledged Interest Issuer of the existence of this Pledge
         Agreement by having the Pledged Interest Issuer acknowledge the Notice
         of Pledge Agreement attached hereto as Attachment 2 immediately after
         the execution and delivery of this Pledge Agreement and (ii) it will
         keep, at its address so indicated below its signature hereto, all of
         its records concerning the Collateral, which records will be of such
         character as will enable the Collateral Agent or its designees to
         determine at any time the status thereof.



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         SECTION 4.1.3 Continuous Pledge. Subject to Section 2.4, the Pledgor
will, at all times, keep pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto all
Pledged Interests and all other Collateral, all Distributions with respect
thereto, and all other Collateral and other securities, instruments, proceeds,
and rights from time to time received by or distributable to the Pledgor in
respect of any Collateral, free and clear of all Liens, security interests,
options, or other charges or encumbrances, except any Lien or security interest
granted pursuant hereto in favor of the Collateral Agent and except as permitted
by the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 4.1.4 Voting Rights; Distributions, etc. The Pledgor agrees:

                  (a) after any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing, promptly upon receipt thereof by the Pledgor without any
         request therefor by the Collateral Agent to deliver (properly endorsed
         where required hereby or requested by the Collateral Agent) to the
         Collateral Agent all Distributions, all interest, all principal, all
         other cash payments, and all proceeds of the Collateral, all of which
         shall be held by the Collateral Agent as additional Collateral for use
         in accordance with Section 6.4; and

                  (b) after any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing and the Collateral Agent has notified the Pledgor of the
         Collateral Agent's intention to exercise its voting power under this
         Section 4.4 (i) the Collateral Agent may exercise (to the exclusion of
         the Pledgor) the voting power and all other incidental rights of
         ownership with respect to any Pledged Interests or other shares of
         capital stock constituting Collateral, AND THE PLEDGOR HEREBY GRANTS
         THE COLLATERAL AGENT AN IRREVOCABLE PROXY (WHICH IRREVOCABLE PROXY IS
         COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT
         ALL SECURED OBLIGATIONS ARE REPAID IN FULL IN CASH, ALL COMMITMENTS OF
         THE LENDER PARTIES SHALL HAVE EXPIRED OR TERMINATED, AND ALL LETTERS OF
         CREDIT SHALL HAVE EXPIRED OR TERMINATED), EXERCISABLE UNDER SUCH
         CIRCUMSTANCES, TO VOTE THE PLEDGED INTERESTS AND SUCH OTHER COLLATERAL,
         and (ii) promptly to deliver to the Collateral Agent such additional
         proxies and other documents as may be necessary to allow the Collateral
         Agent to exercise such voting power.

         All Distributions, interest, principal, cash payments, and proceeds
which may at any time and from time to time be held by the Pledgor but which the
Pledgor is then obligated to deliver to the Collateral Agent, shall, until
delivery to the Collateral Agent, be held by the Pledgor separate and apart from
its other property in trust for the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent
agrees that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
and the Collateral Agent shall have given the notice referred to in Section
4.1.4(b), the Pledgor shall have the exclusive voting power with respect to any
of the Pledged Interests constituting Collateral, and the Collateral Agent
shall, upon the written request of the Pledgor, promptly deliver such proxies
and other documents, if any, as shall be reasonably requested by the Pledgor
which are necessary to allow the Pledgor to exercise voting power with respect
to any of the Pledged Interests constituting Collateral; provided, however, that
no vote shall be cast, or consent, waiver, or ratification given, or action
taken by the Pledgor that would cause an Default, impair any



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Collateral or be inconsistent with or violate any provision of the Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document (including this Pledge Agreement).

         SECTION 4.1.5 Status of Pledged Interests. The registration of the
Pledged Interests on the permanent ownership records of the Pledgor shall at all
times be valid and genuine and shall not be altered. The Pledged Interests at
all times shall be duly authorized, validly registered, fully paid, and
non-assessable, and shall not be registered in violation of the organic
documents of the Pledgor or the preemptive rights of any Person, if any, or of
any agreement by which Pledgor or any Pledged Interest Issuer is bound.

         SECTION 4.1.6 Additional Undertakings. The Pledgor will not, without
the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent:

                  (a) enter into any agreement amending, supplementing, or
         waiving any provision of any Pledged Interests (including the operating
         agreement, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement
         or regulations to which such Pledged Interests relate) or compromising
         or releasing or extending the time for payment of any obligation of the
         maker thereof;

                  (b) take or omit to take any action the taking or the omission
         of which would result in any impairment or alteration of any obligation
         of the Pledgor in respect of any Pledged Interests constituting
         Collateral or of the maker of any instrument constituting Collateral;

                  (c) cause or permit any change to be made in its name,
         identity, corporate structure or state of incorporation or formation,
         or any change to be made to a jurisdiction other than as represented in
         (i) the location of any Collateral, (ii) the location of any records
         concerning any Collateral or (iii) in the location of its place of
         business (or, if it has more than one place of business, its chief
         executive office), unless Pledgor shall have notified the Collateral
         Agent of such change at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective
         date of such change, and shall have first taken all action, if any,
         reasonably required by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of further
         perfecting or protecting the security interest in favor of the
         Collateral Agent in the Collateral;

                  (d) permit the issuance of (i) any Equity Interests or units
         of any class of member interests or units of any Pledged Interest
         Issuer (unless immediately upon such issuance the same are pledged and
         delivered to Lender pursuant to the terms hereof to the extent
         necessary to give the Lender a security interest after such issue in at
         least the same percentage of the Pledgors outstanding interests or
         units as before such issue), (ii) any securities convertible
         voluntarily by the holder thereof or automatically upon the occurrence
         or non-occurrence of any event or condition into, or exchangeable for,
         any such member interests or units or shares, or (iii) any warrants,
         options, contracts or other commitments entitling any Person to
         purchase or otherwise acquire any such interests, units or shares; or

                  (e) enter into any agreement creating, or otherwise permit to
         exist, any restriction or condition upon the transfer, voting or
         control of any Pledged Interests.



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       10
<PAGE>




The Pledgor shall provide, or cause the relevant Pledged Interest Issuer to
provide, the Collateral Agent with a copy of any amendment or supplement to, or
modification or waiver of, any term or provision of any of the by-laws and other
Organic Documents of the Pledged Interest Issuers, provided that the Pledgor
shall not enter into any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver
which could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the interests of the
Collateral Agent and the other Lender Parties. To the extent that any Pledged
Interests are uncertificated, the Pledgor further agrees that if requested by
the Collateral Agent, it will cause the relevant Pledged Interest Issuer to send
a notice to its shareholders, members or partners, as the case may be, giving
such shareholders, member or partners, respective, notice of the grant of
irrevocable proxy made herein (and in the case of a notice to shareholders, such
notice shall be given in compliance with the Texas Business Corporation Act).

         SECTION 4.1.7 Tax Returns. Following the occurrence of an Default, at
the Collateral Agent's request, the Pledgor will promptly provide the Collateral
Agent with a copy of its most recently filed income tax returns certified by an
Authorized Officer of the Pledgor.

         SECTION 4.1.8 State of Incorporation, Formation or Organization. The
Pledgor shall not change its state of incorporation, formation or organization
or its name, identity or corporate structure unless the Pledgor shall have (a)
given the Collateral Agent at least thirty (30) days' prior notice of such
change, (b) obtained the consent of the requisite Lender Parties, if such
consent is so required by the Loan Documents, and (c) taken all actions
necessary or as requested by the Collateral Agent to ensure that the Liens on
the Collateral granted in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Lender Parties remain perfected, first-priority Liens subject only to permitted
Liens.

         SECTION 4.1.9 Filings. The Pledgor hereby authorizes the Collateral
Agent to file U.C.C. financing statements with respect to the Collateral
describing the collateral as "all equity interests" or words of similar import,
and to file U.C.C. financing statements, and continuations and amendments
thereto, and other similar documents with respect to the Collateral without its
signature (to the extent permitted by applicable law).

         SECTION 4.1.10 Performance of Covenants in Loan Documents. The Pledgor
will perform, comply with, observe and fulfill, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to perform, comply with, observe and fulfill, each of the
covenants, agreements and obligations contained in the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents pertaining to or otherwise applicable to the Pledgor or any
of its Subsidiaries.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                   THE LENDER

         SECTION 5.1 Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The Pledgor
hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as the Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and
in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral
Agent's discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the
Collateral Agent may deem necessary or prudent to accomplish the purposes of
this Pledge Agreement, including without limitation: (a) to ask, demand,
collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts
for moneys due and to become due under



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       11
<PAGE>




or in respect of any of the Collateral; (b) to receive, endorse, and collect any
drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with
clause (a) above; (c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
proceedings which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or prudent for the
collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the
Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral; and (d) to perform the
affirmative obligations of the Pledgor hereunder (including all obligations of
the Pledgor pursuant to Section 4.1.1). THE PLEDGOR HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES,
CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE POWER OF ATTORNEY GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
5.1 IS IRREVOCABLE AND COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL
SUCH TIME THAT ALL SECURED OBLIGATIONS ARE REPAID IN FULL IN CASH, ALL
COMMITMENTS SHALL HAVE TERMINATED OR EXPIRED, AND ALL LETTERS OF CREDIT SHALL
HAVE TERMINATED OR EXPIRED.

         SECTION 5.2 Collateral Agent May Perform. If the Pledgor fails to
perform any agreement contained herein, then the Collateral Agent may itself
perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the reasonable expenses of
the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the
Pledgor pursuant to Section 6.5, and the Collateral Agent may from time to time
take any other action which the Collateral Agent reasonably deems necessary for
the maintenance, preservation or protection of any of the Collateral or of its
security interest therein.

         SECTION 5.3 Collateral Agent Has No Duty. The powers conferred on the
Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest (on behalf of the
Lender Parties) in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty on it to
exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care over any
Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by
it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or
responsibility for (a) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls,
conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any
Pledged Property, whether or not the Collateral Agent has or is deemed to have
knowledge of such matters, or (b) taking any necessary steps to preserve rights
against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral.

         SECTION 5.4 Reasonable Care. The Collateral Agent is required to
exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any of the
Collateral in its possession; provided, however, the Collateral Agent shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any
of the Collateral if it takes such action for that purpose as the Pledgor
reasonably requests in writing at times other than upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default, but failure of the Collateral
Agent to comply with any such request at any time shall not in itself be deemed
a failure to exercise reasonable care.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    REMEDIES

         SECTION 6.1 Certain Remedies. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       12
<PAGE>



                  (a) The Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the
         Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for
         herein or otherwise available to it, all of the rights and remedies of
         a secured party on default under the U.C.C. (whether or nor the U.C.C.
         applies to the affected Collateral) and also may, without notice except
         as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or
         more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral
         Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future
         delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem
         commercially reasonable. The Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice
         of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days' prior notice
         to the Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time
         after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
         notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any
         sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The
         Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to
         time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such
         sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to
         which it was so adjourned.

                  (b) The Collateral Agent may (i) transfer all or any part of
         the Collateral into the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee,
         with or without disclosing that such Collateral is subject to the lien
         and security interest hereunder, (ii) notify the parties obligated on
         any of the Collateral to make payment to the Collateral Agent of any
         amount due or to become due thereunder, (iii) enforce collection of any
         of the Collateral by suit or otherwise, and surrender, release or
         exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or extend or renew for
         any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any
         obligations of any nature of any party with respect thereto, (iv)
         endorse any checks, drafts, or other writings in the Pledgor's name to
         allow collection of the Collateral, (v) take control of any proceeds of
         the Collateral, and (vi) execute (in the name, place and stead of the
         Pledgor) endorsements, assignments, stock powers and other instruments
         of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of the Collateral.

         SECTION 6.2 Securities Laws. (a) If the Collateral Agent shall
determine to exercise its right to sell all or any of the Collateral pursuant to
Section 6.1, then the Pledgor agrees that, upon the reasonable request of the
Collateral Agent, the Pledgor will, at its own expense:

                           (i) execute and deliver, and cause each issuer of the
                  Collateral contemplated to be sold and the members, partners
                  and shareholders thereof to execute and deliver, all such
                  instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such
                  other acts and things, as may be necessary or, in the opinion
                  of the Collateral Agent (acting reasonably), prudent to
                  register such Collateral under the provisions of the
                  Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended (the
                  "Securities Act"), and to cause the registration statement
                  relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective
                  for such period as prospectuses are required by law to be
                  furnished, and to make all amendments and supplements thereto
                  and to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the
                  Collateral Agent, are necessary or advisable, all in
                  conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
                  rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission applicable thereto; and



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       13
<PAGE>




                           (ii) use its best efforts to qualify the Collateral
                  under the state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and to obtain
                  all necessary governmental approvals for the sale of the
                  Collateral, as requested by the Collateral Agent;

                  (b) cause each such issuer to make available to its security
         holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement that will
         satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act; and

                  (c) do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as
         may be necessary to make such sale of the Collateral or any part
         thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law.

The Pledgor further acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the amount of
damages that would be suffered by the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party by
reason of the failure by the Pledgor to perform any of the covenants contained
in this Section 6.2 and, consequently, agrees that, if the Pledgor shall fail to
perform any of such covenants, then it shall pay, as liquidated damages and not
as a penalty, an amount equal to the value (as determined by the Collateral
Agent) of the Collateral on the date the Collateral Agent shall demand
compliance with this Section.

         SECTION 6.3 Compliance with Restrictions. The Pledgor agrees that in
any sale of any of the Collateral whenever an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to comply
with any limitation or restriction in connection with such sale as it may be
advised by counsel is necessary in order to avoid any violation of applicable
law (including compliance with such procedures as may restrict the number of
prospective bidders and purchasers, require that such prospective bidders and
purchasers have certain qualifications, and restrict such prospective bidders
and purchasers to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing
for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or
resale of such Collateral), or in order to obtain any required approval of the
sale or of the purchaser by any Governmental Authority, and the Pledgor further
agrees that such compliance shall not result in such sale being considered or
deemed not to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner, nor shall the
Collateral Agent be liable nor accountable to the Pledgor for any discount
allowed by the reason of the fact that such Collateral is sold in compliance
with any such limitation or restriction.

         SECTION 6.4 Application of Proceeds. All cash proceeds received by the
Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied as follows:

                  (a) First, to the payment of the costs and expenses of such
         sale, collection from, or other realization upon, all or any part of
         the Collateral, and reasonable compensation to the Collateral Agent,
         its agents and attorneys, and of all expenses and liabilities incurred
         and advances made by the Collateral Agent in connection therewith;

                  (b) Second, to the payment of all expenses of Lender Parties
         that the Pledgor or the Borrower is obligated to pay pursuant to this
         Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document;



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       14

<PAGE>

                  (c) Third, to the payment ratably of the sum of (i) amounts
         due for principal and interest on all Loans then outstanding, (ii)
         amounts due with respect to the Letters of Credit, and (iii) amounts
         owed as the Hedging Obligations to any Lender or any Affiliate of a
         Lender, without preference or priority of the indebtedness owing to one
         Lender (or Affiliate) over another, or of Loans or Letters of Credit
         over Hedging Obligations, or of principal over interest; and

                  (d) Fourth, after payment in full in cash of all of the
         Obligations, and the termination of all Commitments and all other
         commitments by all Lenders to the Borrower and the other Obligors, and
         the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, to the payment
         of the surplus of such cash or cash proceeds, if any, to the Pledgor,
         or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a
         court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

         SECTION 6.5 Indemnity and Expenses.

                  (a) Without limiting the generality of the provisions of
         Section 10.4 of the Credit Agreement, the Pledgor agrees to hold
         harmless and indemnify the Collateral Agent, each other Lender Party
         and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents
         (the "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims,
         losses, and liabilities arising out of or resulting from this Pledge
         Agreement or any other Loan Document (including enforcement of this
         Pledge Agreement), except claims, losses or liabilities resulting from
         such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES HERETO THAT
         EACH INDEMNIFIED PARTY BE INDEMNIFIED IN THE CASE OF ITS OWN NEGLIGENCE
         (OTHER THAN GROSS NEGLIGENCE), REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH NEGLIGENCE IS
         SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, IMPUTED, JOINT OR TECHNICAL.
         If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be
         unenforceable for any reason, the Pledgor hereby agrees to make the
         maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the
         foregoing which is permissible under applicable law.

                  (b) The Pledgor will upon demand pay to the Collateral Agent
         and any local counsel the amount of any and all reasonable expenses,
         including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel and of
         any experts and agents, which the Collateral Agent and any local
         counsel may incur in connection herewith, including without limitation,
         (a) the administration of this Pledge Agreement, the Credit Agreement
         and each other Loan Document; (b) the custody, preservation, use, or
         operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization
         upon, any of the Collateral; (c) the exercise or enforcement of any of
         the rights of the Collateral Agent and any local counsel or any of the
         other Lender Parties hereunder; or (d) the failure by the Pledgor to
         perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

         SECTION 6.6 Warranties. The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral
without giving any warranties or representations as to the Collateral. The
Collateral Agent may disclaim



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       15
<PAGE>

any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to
adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 7.1 Loan Document. This Pledge Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions thereof

         SECTION 7.2 Amendments; etc. No amendment to or waiver of any provision
of this Pledge Agreement nor consent to any departure by the Pledgor herefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by the Collateral Agent and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

         SECTION 7.3 Notices. All notices and other communications provided to
any party hereto under this Pledge Agreement shall be in writing or by facsimile
and addressed, delivered or transmitted to such party at its address or
facsimile number set forth below its signature hereto or at such other address
or facsimile number as may be designated by such party in a notice to the other
parties. Any notice, if mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid or if
properly addressed and sent by pre-paid courier service, shall be deemed given
when received; any notice, if transmitted by facsimile, shall be deemed given
when transmitted and a receipt, demonstrating successful transmission, is
received by the sender. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any
amendment or waiver of any provision of this Pledge Agreement shall be effective
as delivery of an original executed counterpart hereof

         SECTION 7.4 Headings. The various headings of this Pledge Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of this Pledge Agreement or any provisions hereof

         SECTION 7.5 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Pledge
Agreement which is prohibited, inoperative, invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such provision and such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition; non-operation, invalidity or unenforceability
without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Pledge Agreement or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

         SECTION 7.6 Execution in Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc. This Pledge
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken
together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may
execute this Pledge Agreement by signing any such counterpart. This Pledge
Agreement shall become effective when counterparts hereof executed on behalf of
the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent shall have been received by the Collateral
Agent.

         SECTION 7.7 Collateral Agent: Exculpation. By accepting the benefits of
this Pledge Agreement, each Lender Party hereby appoints Bank of Texas, N.A. as
its Collateral



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       16

<PAGE>

Agent under and for purposes of this Pledge Agreement and each other Security
Document. Each Lender Party authorizes Bank of Texas, N.A. to act on behalf of
such Lender Party under this Pledge Agreement and each other Security Document,
to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated
to or required of the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, together with such
powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the provisions
of Article IX of the Credit Agreement, neither the Collateral Agent nor the
directors, officers, employees or agents thereof shall be liable to any Lender
Party (and each Lender Party will hold the Collateral Agent harmless) for any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Pledge Agreement or any
other Security Document, or in connection herewith or therewith, except for the
willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Collateral Agent, or responsible
for any recitals or warranties herein or therein, or for the effectiveness,
enforceability, validity or due execution of this Pledge Agreement or any other
Security Document, or for the creation, perfection or priority of any Liens
purported to be created by this Pledge Agreement, or the validity, genuineness,
enforceability, existence, value or sufficiency of any collateral security, or
to make any inquiry respecting the performance by the Pledgor of its obligations
hereunder.

         SECTION 7.8 CHOICE OF LAW. THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF
RELATING TO CONFLICT OF LAW, EXCEPT SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW), EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OR
PRIORITY OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT
OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER
THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         SECTION 7.9 FORUM SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. ANY LITIGATION
BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS PLEDGE
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF.
DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO
SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OR NEW
YORK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY
COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT THE COLLATERAL AGENT'S OPTION,
IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE
FOUND. EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION
OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS
SET FORTH ABOVE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED
THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LITIGATION. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       17
<PAGE>


REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE
OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN
ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN
BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PLEDGOR HAS OR
HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OF FROM ANY
LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT,
ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS
PROPERTY, THE PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO
ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         SECTION 7.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH
PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY
OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B)
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER
INTO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

         SECTION 7.11 NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS WRITTEN PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT. THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

         THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

         SECTION 7.12 Filing as a Financing Statement. At the option of the
Collateral Agent, this Pledge Agreement, or a carbon, photographic or other
reproduction of this Pledge Agreement or of any Uniform Commercial Code
financing statement, continuations and amendments thereto, covering all of the
Collateral or any portion thereof shall be sufficient as a Uniform Commercial
Code financing statement and may be filed as such without the signature of the
Pledgor where and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       18
<PAGE>


         SECTION 7.13 [Reserved].

         SECTION 7.14 Non-Recourse to Officers and Directors. This Pledge
Agreement is fully recourse to the Pledgor. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Pledge Agreement or in any other Loan Document, no
recourse under or upon any Secured Obligation, representation, warranty or
covenant shall be had against any of the officers, directors, employees, agents
or representatives of the Pledgor; provided, however that nothing in this
Section 7.14 shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any Secured Obligation
evidenced or secured by, or contained in, this Pledge Agreement or any other
Loan Document, or affect in any way the validity or enforceability of this
Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                      [SIGNATURES BEGIN ON FOLLOWING PAGE]



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       19



<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Pledge Agreement
to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of
the day and year first above written.

                              NEG OPERATING LLC

                              By:     NEG Holding LLC, sole member

                                  By: Gascon Partners, managing member

                                      By: Cigas Corp., managing general partner

                                          By:    /s/ PHILIP D. DEVLIN
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Philip D. Devlin
                                          Title: Attorney-in-Fact

                                          1400 One Energy Square
                                          4925 Greenville Avenue
                                          Dallas, TX 75206
                                          Attention: Mr. Randall D. Cooley
                                          Telephone No.: (214) 692-9211
                                          Facsimile No.: (214) 692-9310
                                          E-Mail: rcooley@negx.com



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       S-1



<PAGE>


                                          COLLATERAL AGENT:

                                          BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

                                          By:    /s/ TIMOTHY EDWARD MERRELL
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Timothy Edward Merrell
                                          Title: Senior Vice President


                                          5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1100
                                          Dallas, TX 75225
                                          Attention: Mr. Tim Merrell
                                          Telephone No.: (214)987-8873
                                          Facsimile No.: (214)
                                          E-Mail: tmerrell@mail.bokf.com



                       NEG Operating LLC Pledge Agreement
                                       S-2


<PAGE>

                                                                    ATTACHMENT 1
                                                                              to
                                                                Pledge Agreement


Pledged Interests Issuer:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                Authorized        Outstanding
                                Interests          Interests          % of Interests Pledged
                                ----------        -----------         ----------------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>                 <C>
Shana National LLC                                                    100% of all of the
                                                                      membership interests
                                                                      owned by the Pledgor,
                                                                      being 100% of the
                                                                      membership interests of
                                                                      Shana National LLC
</Table>



                             Attachment 1 - Page 1

<PAGE>

                                                                    Attachment 2
                                                                              to
                                                                Pledge Agreement


                       FORM OF NOTICE OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT


TO:
             Shana National LLC


         Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to a Pledge Agreement dated as of
December 29, 2003 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Pledge Agreement"), between NEG OPERATING LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (the "Pledgor"), and BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as
collateral agent (together with all successors and assigns thereto, in such
capacity, the "Collateral Agent") for each of the Lender Parties (as defined in
the Pledge Agreement), the Pledgor has pledged and assigned to the Collateral
Agent, and granted to the Collateral Agent a continuing security interest in,
all right, title and interest of the Pledgor, whether now existing or hereafter
arising or acquired, in, to and under the ___________________________, dated
________________, ____ (the "Operating Agreement", of Shana National LLC (the
"Company"), including, without limitation:

                  The Pledgor's rights, now existing or hereafter arising or
                  acquired, to receive from time to time its share of profits,
                  income, surplus, compensation, return of capital,
                  distributions and other reimbursements and payments from the
                  Company (including, without limitation, specific properties of
                  the Company upon dissolution and otherwise), in respect of any
                  and all of the following:

                           (1) All membership interests now owned or hereafter
                  acquired by the Pledgor in the Company as a result of exchange
                  offers, direct investments or contributions or otherwise;

                           (2) The Pledgor's accounts, general intangibles and
                  other rights to payment or reimbursement, now existing or
                  hereafter arising or acquired, from the Company, existing or
                  arising from loans, advances or other extensions of credit by
                  the Pledgor from time to time to or for the account of the
                  Company, or from services rendered by the Pledgor from time to
                  time to or for the account of the Company; and

                           (3) The proceeds of and from any and all of the
                  foregoing.

         Pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, the Company is hereby authorized and
directed to (a) register the Pledgor' s pledge to the Collateral Agent of the
Pledgor' s membership interests on the Company's books, (b) to make direct
payment to the Collateral Agent of any amounts due or to become due the Pledgor
under the Operating Agreement, if so notified by the Collateral Agent, and (c)
permit the Collateral Agent to exercise (to the exclusion of the Pledgor) the
voting



                             Attachment 2 - Page 1

<PAGE>


power and all other incidental rights of ownership with respect to membership
interests in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement.

         The Collateral Agent hereby requests the Company to indicate the
Company's acceptance of this Notice and consent to and confirmation of its terms
and provisions by signing a copy hereof and returning the same to the Collateral
Agent.


Dated: December 29, 2003                       BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.


                                               By:
                                                  ------------------------------
                                               Name: Timothy Edward Merrell
                                               Title:

                                               Address:

                                               5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1100
                                               Dallas, TX 75225
                                               Attention: Mr. Tim Merrell
                                               Telephone No.: (214) 987-8873
                                               Facsimile No.: (214) 987-8866
                                               E-Mail: tmerrell@mail.bokf.com



                             Attachment 2 - Page 2

<PAGE>


                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT


         SHANA NATIONAL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
"Company") hereby (a) acknowledges and consents to the assignment by NEG
OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Pledgor"), of its
right, title and interest in, to and under that certain Operating Agreement,
dated _______________, 200_ (the "Operating Agreement"), of the Company pursuant
to the terms of the Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2003 (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Pledge
Agreement"), made by the Pledgor for the benefit of BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as
collateral agent (together with all successors and assigns thereto, in such
capacity, the "Collateral Agent") for each of the Lender Parties (as defined in
the Pledge Agreement), (b) confirms that the Company has reviewed the Pledge
Agreement and this notice of assignment and has not found the terms thereof or
the transactions described therein to be objectionable, (c) has registered the
Pledgor's pledge to the Collateral Agent of the Pledgor's membership interests
on the Company's books, and (d) upon notice from the Collateral Agent the
Company agrees to make direct payment to the Collateral Agent of any amounts due
or to become due the Pledgor under the Operating Agreement.

Dated: December 29, 2003


                        SHANA NATIONAL LLC

                        By: NEG Operating LLC

                            By: NEG Holding LLC, sole member

                                By: Gascon Partners, managing member

                                    By: Cigas Corp., managing general partner]

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:  Philip D. Devlin
                                        Title: Attorney-in-Fact



                              Attachment 2 - Page 3


<PAGE>




                                                                    Attachment 3
                                                                              to
                                                                Pledge Agreement


                                 TRANSFER POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto _________________________ (_________________) membership interests in Shana
National LLC, a Delaware limited liability company represented by the attached
Certificate No. ____________________ herewith and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint _________________________________ as attorney to transfer
the said membership interest on the books of _________________________ with full
power of substitution in the premises.

DATED:_____________ __, 200_
                                                 -------------------------------

                                                 By:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:



IN PRESENCE OF:


----------------------------



                             Attachment 3 - Page 1

<PAGE>

                                                                    Attachment 4
                                                                              to
                                                                Pledge Agreement


             State of Organization, Formation or Incorporation, Etc.


<Table>
<Caption>
                            State of Organization,
                            Formation or                  Principal Place of Business and/or
Name                        Incorporation                 Chief Executive Office
<S>                         <C>                           <C>
NEG Operating LLC                 Delaware                1400 One Energy Square
                                                          4925 Greenville Avenue
                                                          Dallas, TX 75206
</Table>



                             Attachment 4 - Page 1