Iceland’s most famous artist, singer Björk, has appealed to her national parliament to halt the planned sale of a geothermal energy company, arguing that the deal will only harm the country’s national interest.

The 44-year-old “Declare Independence” singer, famous for her environmental activism, says HS Orka should not go under the hammer to Canadian company Magma Energy, requesting that the parliament review the sale and open it up to public discussion.

"Members of parliament! We, Icelanders, ask you for a transparent, open discussion and reconsideration concerning the sale of access to our natural resources," Björk (full name Björk Guðmundsdóttir) read to reporters in a statement yesterday. "Shouldn’t the nation be able to decide for itself if it is willing to sell off its natural resources, by means of a law change to enable a national referendum?"

It’s not the first time an energy sale has caused problems in the country, with a power plant construction back in 2005 setting off protests across the tiny nation. Iceland is famous for its thermal energy, thanks to its volcanos.

"What we are doing is using the resources and paying royalties to the owners," said Alison Thompson, Magma’s vice president for corporate relations, who insisted the money brought into the economy by the sale was essential for the country.

Björk’s last album was 2007’s Volta, while she recently collaborated with Brooklyn band Dirty Projectors on a new EP, Mount Wittenberg Orca, for which all proceeds went to marine research.