Pacific Ethanol Receives Nasdaq Notification

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 18, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:PEIX), announced today that on September 15, 2009, the Company received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") notifying the Company that it does not comply with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). The Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until March 14, 2010, in which to regain compliance.

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:
         Bryon McGregor
           (916) 403-2710
           bmcgregor@pacificethanol.net

Released September 18, 2009