Pacific Ethanol Receives NASDAQ Compliance Determination

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq:PEIX), (the "Company"), announced today that it received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") on January 25, 2010, which contained a NASDAQ compliance determination that the Company has regained compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), which requires that listed securities maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share.

As previously announced, on September 15, 2009, the Company received a letter from NASDAQ notifying the Company that it did not comply with the $1.00 minimum closing bid price requirement for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

The Company's common stock has subsequently maintained a closing bid price of $1.00 or greater for at least 10 consecutive business days, enabling the Company to regain compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

The Pacific Ethanol, Inc. logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5940

CONTACT:  Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
          INVESTOR RELATIONS:
            916-403-2755
            866-508-4969
            InvestorRelations@pacificethanol.net
          MEDIA CONTACT:
          Paul Koehler
            503-235-8241
            paulk@pacificethanol.net

Released January 26, 2010