Document:

<Page>

                              EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

THE STATE OF TEXAS      )(
                        )(                 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
COUNTY OF MIDLAND       )(

      This Employment Contract ("Agreement") is made and entered into on or as
of the 14th day of September, 2001.

      By this Agreement, Cap Rock Energy Corporation, referred to in this
Agreement as "Company", acting by and through its President and Chief Executive
Officer, David W. Pruitt, or his successor, hereinafter referred to as "Pruitt"
employs Sam Prough, referred to in this Agreement as "Prough", and whose
principal place of employment is Stanton, Martin County, Texas, who accepts
employment on the following terms and conditions:

                                   ARTICLE I

                              TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

      By this Agreement, the Company, acting by and through and under the
direction of Pruitt, employees Prough and Prough accepts employment with the
Company for an initial term of one (1) year. Unless a written notice to
terminate this Agreement is executed and properly delivered by either party at
least ninety days prior to an anniversary date of the execution of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall annually and automatically be renewed for an
additional term of one (1) year. This Agreement may, however, be terminated
earlier, as provided in Article 4, below.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                      EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

2.01   As compensation for all services rendered under this Agreement, Prough
shall be paid by Company a salary of $84,864.00 per year, or any greater amount
of compensation including bonuses and deferred compensation authorized by the
wage and salary plan or board policies authorized by the Company, together with
an annual salary adjustment in an amount at least equal to any approved across
the board salary adjustments for all employees.

2.02   Prough shall receive fifteen (15) days of vacation (annual leave),
available immediately upon his employment pursuant to this Agreement, and the
same sick leave and all other benefits as are accorded regular full-time
employees of the Company including provisions governing accrual and payment
thereof on early retirement or other methods of employment as set forth in the
Company's employee policies.

2.03   Subject to the above paragraph 2.02, all provisions of the
Company's rules and regulations relating to annual leave
(vacation), sick leave, early retirement, insurance, savings, deferred
compensation, bonuses, pension program contributions, holiday, stock options as
available and appropriate for his responsibility and experience and other fringe
benefits and working conditions as

<Page>

they now exist or hereafter may be amended, shall apply to Prough as they would
to other employees of the Company.

2.04 Because Prough's duties will from time to time require his to work outside
of, and in addition to, the Company's established normal work week, work days
and work hours, Prough shall be allowed to take compensatory time off.

2.05 Company will reimburse Prough for professional dues and continuing
education requirements.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                              COVENANT TO PERFORM

3.01 Prough agrees and covenants to perform his work and services diligently and
use his best efforts to faithfully comply with all of the assignments duly made
to him on behalf of the Company by Pruitt.

3.02 Prough agrees to execute and honor and abide by the Company's "Employee
Pledge and Proprietary Rights and Information Agreement" which all other
employees of the Company have executed and agreed to, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit "A".

                                   ARTICLE 4

                             TERM AND TERMINATION

4.01 The Company shall employ Prough pursuant to this Agreement for the one (1)
year term beginning with the effective date of his employment hereunder, yearly
renewable subject to and following a satisfactory evaluation employee appraisal
report on Prough by, for successive one year terms. However, if during such
employment, Prough fails or refuses to perform the work and services assigned to
him on behalf of the Company by Pruitt, or should he become derelict in so
performing, or become unable to perform, or otherwise become in substantial
breach of this Agreement all as may be determined by Pruitt in his sole
discretion or otherwise so act as to give the Company cause, this Agreement
shall, at Pruitt's sole option, cease and terminate and any of Prough's rights
hereunder not already finally vested shall cease on or at such time as Pruitt
shall notify Prough in writing. The term "cause" shall include the following:

      1.    Knowingly, willfully and substantially, during the term of this
            Agreement, neglects the duties that Prough is required to perform
            under the terms of this Agreement.

      2.    Knowingly, willfully and substantially, during the term
            of this Agreement, commits clearly dishonest acts toward the Company
            with the intent to injure or damage the Company.

      3.    Insubordination or failing to follow the directives of
            the President/CEO in connection normal assigned job
            related duties.

                                                                               1
<Page>

      4.    An unsatisfactory evaluation by Pruitt of Prough on the
            annual employee appraisal.

4.02 If Prough's employment terminates for any reason other than as provided for
in paragraph 4.01, 4.03, 4.04 or 4.05, the Company shall pay Prough a lump sum
cash settlement equal to the total salary then in effect for one (1) year, plus
such amounts, if any, are at the time of his termination of employment, payable
for accrued but untaken vacation and sick leave, compensatory time, bonuses and
other compensation authorized by the Board of Directors or Pruitt.

4.03 Notwithstanding paragraphs 4.01 and 4.02, this Agreement and Prough's
employment hereunder may be terminated at such time and upon such terms and
conditions as the parties may mutually agree.

4.04 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 4.01, 4.02, and 4.03 above,
Prough's employment hereunder shall terminate under any of the following
conditions:

      a.    DEATH. Prough's employment under this Agreement shall
            terminate automatically upon his death. In such event,
            Prough's Base Salary shall continue to be paid to his
            designated beneficiary for the remaining term of this
            Agreement.

      b.    TOTAL DISABILITY. The Company shall have the right to
            terminate this Agreement if Prough becomes Totally
            Disabled.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Totally
            Disabled" means that Prough is not working and is
            currently unable to perform the substantial and material
            duties of his position hereunder as a result of sickness,
            accident or bodily injury for a period of three months.
            Prior to a determination that Prough is Totally Disabled,
            but after Prough has exhausted all sick leave and
            vacation benefits provided by the Company, Prough shall
            continue to receive his Base Salary, offset by any
            disability benefits he may be eligible to receive, for
            the remaining term of this Agreement.

4.05 Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, if (i) Prough
remains employed until the date that is three (3) months after the date of a
Change in Control (the "Retention Date"), or (ii) Prough's employment is
terminated after or in anticipation of a Change in Control (or the execution of
a definitive agreement providing for actions which, if completed, would
constitute a Change in Control) and before the Retention Date (A) by the
Company without Good Cause or (B) by Prough for Good Reason, then, in addition
to any other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall pay
Prough a lump sum cash payment within thirty (30) days of termination equal to
six (6) times the sum of Prough's annual Base Salary and the greater of (x) the
highest bonus awarded to Prough in a prior year or (y) 50% of Prough's annual
Base Salary.

      For purposes of this Agreement "Change in Control" means: (i) a
reorganization or merger of the Company with or into any other company which
will result in the Company's stockholders immediately prior to such transaction
not holding, as a result of such transaction, at least 50% of the voting power
of the surviving or continuing entity or the entity controlling the surviving or
continuing entity; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company to an entity in which the Company's stockholders immediately prior to
such sale will not hold following such sale

                                                                               3
<Page>

at least 50% of the voting power of such purchasing entity; (iii) a transaction
or series of related transactions which result in more than 50% of the voting
power of the Company being "beneficially owned" by a single "person" (quoted
terms having their respective meanings under Sections 13(d) and 14(d) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended); (iv) a change in the majority of
the Board not approved by at least two-thirds of the Company's directors in
office prior to such change or (v) the adoption of any plan of liquidation
providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets.

      For purposes of this Agreement, after a Change in Control, "Good Reason"
shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following circumstances without
Prough's consent:

      (1)   a material reduction in Prough's salary or benefits
            excluding the substitution of substantially equivalent
            compensation and benefits;

      (2)   a material diminution of Prough's duties, authority or
            responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to such
            diminution;

      (3)   the relocation of Prough's primary work location to a location more
            than 50 miles from Prough's primary work location as of the date of
            this Agreement; or

      (4)   the failure of a successor to assume and perform under
            this Agreement.

4.06 In the event Prough is eligible to receive a lump sum payment pursuant to
this Agreement and such lump sum payment would cause Prough to be subject to an
excise tax in excess of normal income taxes on such lump sum, then and in that
event, the lump sum payment shall be increased (grossed up) in an amount
sufficient to pay such excise tax.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                  TRADE SECRETS AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

5.01 During the term of Prough's employment, the Company will provide Prough
access to, so he may become familiar with, various trade secrets and other
confidential or proprietary information of the Company, train his in the use of
same, and provide associates a working environment in which he can contribute
toward enhancing same and upgrading his general knowledge. Trade secrets,
proprietary information and confidential information encompass, without
limitation, anything which is owned by the Company and is regularly used in the
operation of the business of the Company to obtain a competitive advantage over
the Company's competitors who do not know, have access to, or utilize such
information or trade secrets. Proprietary information further includes, but is
not limited to, records, files, documents, bulletins, publications, manuals,
financial data and information concerning and the identity of customers,
prospects and suppliers. Trade secrets further include, but are not limited to,
specifications, software programs, both the source code and the object code,
documentation, flow charts, diagrams, schematics, data, data bases, and business
and production methods and techniques.

5.02 Prough acknowledges that such training and the use of the trade secrets and
confidential or proprietary information will enable him to perform his job and
enhance his compensation. Prough

                                                                               4
<Page>

recognizes and acknowledges that the trade secrets and other confidential or
proprietary information of the Company are valuable, special and unique and
that the protection thereof is of critical importance to the Company in
maintaining its competitive position. Prough, therefore, covenants and agrees
that, except as required by his employment hereunder or with the express prior
written consent of the Company, he shall not, during the term of his employment
by the Company or at anytime thereafter, either directly or indirectly, make
independent use or publish or otherwise disclose any of the aforesaid trade
secrets or other confidential or proprietary information of the Company
(whether acquired, learned, obtained or developed by him alone or in
conjunction with others) to any person, firm, corporation, association or other
entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever or allow any other person, firm,
corporation, association or other entity to make use of, publish or disclose
any of the aforesaid trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary
information. Prough agrees not to use, steal, or appropriate such items or
versions thereof, whether copies or reconstructed from memory or otherwise, in
any manner. Prough further recognizes and acknowledges that in order to enable
Company to perform services for its customers and engage in Company's business,
information may be furnished to the Company confidential information and that
the goodwill afforded to Company depends upon, among other things, Company and
its employees keeping such services and information confidential. Prough
therefore agrees that he shall keep all such information of the Company and any
of its affiliates and subsidiaries completely and absolutely confidential. This
agreement not to disclose confidential information shall survive after the term
of Prough's employment pursuant to this Agreement. Therefore, Prough shall be
bound by his agreement herein not to disclose confidential information of the
Company and its affiliates or subsidiaries both during his employment with the
Company and after his employment with the Company is terminated. A violation by
Prough of this Article shall be a material violation of this Agreement and will
justify legal and/or equitable relief. Prough recognizes that if he breaches
this agreement and discloses confidential information or trade secrets of the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, the Company will suffer
substantial, irreparable and continuing injuries, damages and costs attendant
thereto. Further, recognizing that money damages may not provide adequate
relief, Prough agrees that, in the event that he breaches or threatens to
breach this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to a preliminary or
permanent injunction in order to prevent the continuation of such harm and, as
liquidated damages, Prough shall forfeit all payments made pursuant to this
Agreement from the date the Agreement was breached and any payments that are or
may be due pursuant to this Agreement, as well as any rights or benefits,
including health insurance benefits.

5.03 Prough and the Company acknowledge and agree that the fact that the Parties
have entered into this Agreement and the terms of this Agreement are
confidential. Neither of the Parties may therefore disclose the terms of this
Agreement to others, except as necessary with regard to the filing of income
taxes and other necessary documents or as required by law, or pursuant to a
subpoena or court order, unless such disclosure has been approved by the other
Party's written permission.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                           NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

      Prough agrees that upon his termination of employment from the Company,
for a period of Two (2) years, he will not engage or participate, directly or
indirectly, in competition with the

                                                                               5
<Page>

Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries without the prior written
consent of the Company which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This
Agreement shall prohibit Prough from, among other things, attempts to serve or
assist others in serving the Company's present or potential customers. Prough
further agrees that he will never at any time after executing this Agreement,
assist any person or entity in buying, merging with or acquiring the Company
unless the Company consents in writing.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                                 PROHIBITIONS

7.01  Prough shall not, at any time during or after the term of this
Agreement, make derogatory, false, or misleading oral or written comments to any
person or entity regarding the Company, its management, officers, directors,
employees or agents. Prough agrees generally to speak favorably of the Company
and his employment with the Company.

7.02 Prough agrees that neither he, nor any member of his immediate family,
shall run for or serve as a Director of the Company for a period of five (5)
years after Prough's employment with the Company is terminated.

7.03 The Company and Prough recognize and agree that the damages to the Company
for violation of Articles 5, 6 and 7 may be difficult, if not impossible to
ascertain, and therefore the Parties hereby agree that in the event Prough
breaches these Articles 5, 6, and 7, the Company shall be entitled to liquidated
damages for such breach which shall be forfeiture and reimbursement by Prough of
all amounts paid to Prough from the time of the breach, received by Prough from
Company pursuant to this Agreement from the time of the breach, or any amounts
which Prough is entitled to receive pursuant to this Agreement, and all rights
and benefits, including health insurance benefits and stock which Prough may be
entitled to receive pursuant to this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                        SUPERSESSION AND EFFECTIVENESS

8.01 This Agreement supersedes any other agreement or understanding, written or
oral, between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereunder, and it
contains the entire understanding of the parties and all of the covenants and
agreements between them with respect to Prough's employment.

8.02 This Agreement shall bind and be for the benefit of the parties to the
agreement, as well as their respective successors, heirs and assigns, it being
understood, however that this Agreement may be assigned only with the written
consent of both parties.

8.03 The existence and effectiveness of this Agreement between the parties
hereto does not preclude or otherwise interfere with employment of Prough by
subsidiary corporations of Cap Rock Energy Corporation, or by any corporation
organized by the Company's Board of Directors for the benefit of the Company, or
the receipt of compensation by Prough from any such corporations.

                                                                               6
<Page>

8.04 This Agreement shall become binding upon the parties from and as of the
date of the execution.

                                   ARTICLE 9

                                 GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement has been executed in the State of Texas and shall be
governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas.

                                  ARTICLE 10

                                  ARBITRATION

      All disputes, claims and matters in question arising under, with respect
to or out of this Agreement or the relationship between the parties created by
this agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise, which cannot be
resolved between the Parties, shall be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant
to the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitration shall be administered by the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Dallas, Texas in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA. There shall be three arbitrators. Each
party shall designate an arbitrator, who need not be neutral, within 30 days of
receiving notification of the filing with the AAA of a demand for arbitration.
The two arbitrators so designated shall elect a third arbitrator. If either
party fails to designate an arbitrator within the time specified or the two
parties' arbitrators fail to designate a third arbitrator within 30 days of
their appointments, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA. The
decision or award of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding
upon the parties. Any arbitral award may be entered as a judgment or order in
any court of competent jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the arbitrators
shall have no authority to award punitive or exemplary damages, the parties
hereby waiving their right, if any, to recover punitive or exemplary damages,
either in arbitration or in litigation.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement in duplicate
originals, one being retained by each, on or as of the 14th day of September,
2001.

                                          CAP ROCK ENERGY CORPORATION

/s/ Sam Prough                            /s/ David W. Pruitt
-------------------------------           ------------------------------
Sam Prough                                David W. Pruitt, President/CEO

                                                                               7
<Page>

THE STATE OF TEXAS      )(
                        )(
COUNTY OF MIDLAND       )(

      This instrument was acknowledged before me on this the 14th day of
September, 2001, by DAVID W. PRUITT, President/Chief Executive Officer of Cap
Rock Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation, on behalf of said corporation.

                                    /s/ SHARON A HOELSCHER
                                    --------------------------------
                                    Notary Public, State of Texas
                                    Printed Name of Notary:

                                    SHARON A. HOELSCHER
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    My Commission Expires: 7-11-2003
                                                          ------------

(SEAL)

THE STATE OF TEXAS      )(
                        )(
COUNTY OF MIDLAND       )(

      This instrument was acknowledged before me on this the 20th day of
September, 2001, by SAM PROUGH.

                                    /s/ Johnny L. Howard
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public, State of Texas
                                    Printed Name of Notary:

                                    JOHNNY L. HOWARD
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    My Commission Expires: 11-17-2003
                                                           --------------------

(SEAL)<Page>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.72

                               CAP ROCK ELECTRIC

                    ACHIEVEMENT BASED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

                 Corporate Asset Non-CFC Financing Arrangements

         In accordance with Cap Rock Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("Cap Rock
Electric") Board Policy 143, this contract provides for calculation and payment
of achievement compensation in the form of a percentage of the gross amount of
transactions involving the acquisition of capital other than through
conventional bank financing through the ultimate sale or though a sale/leaseback
of a Power Transmission Facility interconnecting Southwestern Public Service
Company's grid with Cap Rock Electric's distribution system.

         (1) Responsible Individuals:

             Ronald W. Lyon

         (2) Amount of Achievement Based Compensation:

             The achievement based compensation will be (1%) of the net profit
             or net capital acquired by Cap Rock Electric through the
             transaction if payment is taken in cash or (2%) if payment is taken
             in stock of Cap Rock Energy Corporation.

         (3) Calculation of the Transaction Proceeds:

             The net profit or net capital is defined as the total capital
             received by the company minus the original capital received from
             the original sale/leaseback of the transmission line.

         (4) Term of Achievement Based Compensation:

             The achievement compensation will be owed after the receipt of the
             proceeds from the transaction triggering payment under this
             Agreement, but shall not be payable until 2003 or new equity in the
             amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000,000.00) or more is
             raised, whichever occurs first.

         (5) Payment of the Achievement Based Compensation:

             The Achievement based compensation will be paid in cash or stock in
             Cap Rock Energy Corporation. The achievement based compensation
             will be paid in stock in Cap Rock Energy Corporation as soon as
             stock is available or cash at each eligible individual's option.
             All compensation payable under this Agreement shall vest as of

<Page>

             the closing data of the transaction triggering payments under this
             Agreement. The right to receive stock shall vest immediately on the
             closing of the transaction, even if stock is not available to be
             issued at that time. If stock is chosen by an individual, for each
             one dollar ($1.00) of cash that an eligible individual would be
             entitled to receive under this Agreement if payment were taken in
             cash, the individual shall be paid two dollars ($2.00) worth of Cap
             Rock Energy stock. For example, if based upon the formula set forth
             in this agreement an individual is entitled to a cash payment of
             $50,000.00, that individual will receive $100,000.00 in stock if he
             chooses to be paid in stock rather than cash. The price of the Cap
             Rock Energy stock shall be determined by the average price per
             share of the last three trades prior to the issuance of stock to
             the eligible individual and this is the price that shall be used to
             determine the number of shares to be issued to each eligible
             individual. At the option of the Board of Directors, the stock may
             be restricted. If such stock is restricted or if a vesting
             requirement is invoked on the stock issued to individuals
             hereunder, then and in that event, the vesting shall start as of
             the closing date of the transaction triggering payment under this
             Agreement.

         (6) Conditions and Consideration for Payment:

             Except upon becoming eligible for benefits under any Cap Rock
             retirement plan, either early or regular, the Achievement
             Compensation will be payable to the recipients listed below in
             paragraph (6) without regard to the continued employment of those
             individuals by Cap Rock Electric or an affiliate or subsidiary
             thereof. Each individual agrees that he will keep the terms of this
             contract, as well as the terms of the transactions causing the
             awarding and payment of the Achievement Compensation, confidential.

         (7) Sharing with Other Individuals:

             In recognition of the necessary contribution of the entire
             management team to the continued success of Cap Rock Electric and
             the successful implementation of alternate or non-CFC financing
             arrangements, the Achievement Compensation will be shared among the
             Responsible Individual and the other management team members as
             follows:

                    Responsible Individual - 30%
                    Management Team - 70%
                             a.  President/CEO - 30%
                             b.  Other Individuals selected by the President/CEO
                                 and Board of Directors - 40%

                                 i.      Ulen North                 4.4%
                                 ii.     Sam Prough                 4.4%

<Page>

                                 iii.    Russell E. Jones           4.4%
                                 iv.     Alfred J. Schwartz         4.4%
                                 v.      S.D. Buchanan              4.4%
                                 vi.     Newell Tate                4.4%
                                 vii.    Jerry Hoclscher            4.4%
                                 viii.   Floyd Ritchey              4.4%
                                 ix.     Michael Schaffner          4.4%

         Except for the confidentially and retirement provisions, the conditions
for payment described above in paragraph (6) are not applicable to those persons
identified and listed above as "Other Individuals". It is further understood and
agreed that such conditions for payment as set out in paragraph (6) are
applicable subject to the amount of such Achievement Compensation total payment
being commensurate and equitable with the conditions placed upon the recipients
by the acceptance of such Compensation.

         In the event the Responsible Party should violate the terms of this
Agreement, the right to receive further payments under this Agreement, not
already vested at the time, shall immediately cease and such interest or right
to future non-vested payments, if any, shall revert to Cap Rock Electric. In the
event any individual named herein by the President/CEO and Board of Directors as
a part of the Management Team shall violate the terms of this Agreement, the
right to receive future payments under this Agreement, not already vested at the
time, if any, shall immediately cease and the President/CEO shall have the right
to allocate such share among those named individuals or others as he may deem
in the best interest of the Cooperative. All compensation payable under this
Agreement shall one hundred percent (100%) vest as of the closing date of the
transaction triggering payments under this Agreement or if there is a change of
control of the Company. In the event any individual eligible to receive payments
under this Agreement dies after his compensation payable under this agreement
has vested, such eligible individual's compensation under this Agreement shall
be payable to his estate.

         Witness our hands on this the 21st day of August, 2001.
                                       ----        ------

  /s/  [Illegible]                                8/21/01
---------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
Responsible Individual                           Date

  /s/  [Illegible]                                8/21/01
---------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
President/CEO                                    Date

  /s/  [Illegible]                                8/21/01
---------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
Chairman                                         Date

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}]]