Natural gas prices in the US Northeast are up sharply this week as the region’s first major winter storm of the season approaches, bringing freezing temperatures and a corresponding spike in heating demand.  At the Boston-area Algonquin city-gates hub, cash prices are up nearly $5 since the start of this week, rising to $7.56/MMBtu in Dec. 15 trading. At Transco Zone 6 New York, spot prices have nearly doubled in the past two trading days to $4.24/MMBtu, data from the Intercontinental Exchange showed. At hubs across the Northeast, cash prices are now at their highest since last winter and could strengthen further in the days ahead as freezing temperatures and heavy […]