Pacific Ethanol to Participate in Four September Conferences

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq:PEIX), the leading producer and marketer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western United States, announced it will participate in four investor conferences in September 2014.

• CRT Capital 2^nd Annual Investor Conference, Delamar Hotel in Greenwich, CT on September 16^th. Management will host one-on-one meetings throughout the day.
   
• Craig-Hallum 5^th Annual Alpha Select Conference, Convene Conference Center in New York City on September 18^th. Management is scheduled to present at 8:00 AM ET and will host one-on-one meetings throughout the day.
   
• Imperial Capital 8^th Annual Global Opportunities Conference, Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on September 18^th. Management is scheduled to present at 2:45 PM ET and will host one-on-one meetings throughout the day.
   
• Global Hunter Securities 1x1 Series Industrials Conference, Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City on September 18^th. Management will host one-on-one meetings throughout the day.

Materials provided and webcasting availability will vary based on event format. Investors may visit Pacific Ethanol's website at www.pacificethanol.com to access company materials corresponding to each event.

About Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (PEIX) is the leading producer and marketer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western United States. Pacific Ethanol also sells co-products, including wet distillers grain ("WDG"), a nutritional animal feed. Serving integrated oil companies and gasoline marketers who blend ethanol into gasoline, Pacific Ethanol provides transportation, storage and delivery of ethanol through third-party service providers in the Western United States, primarily in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and Washington. Pacific Ethanol has a 96% ownership interest in PE Op Co., the owner of four ethanol production facilities. Pacific Ethanol operates and manages the four ethanol production facilities, which have a combined annual production capacity of 200 million gallons. These operating facilities are located in Boardman, Oregon, Burley, Idaho, Stockton, California and Madera, California. The facilities are near their respective fuel and feed customers, offering significant timing, transportation cost and logistical advantages. Pacific Ethanol's subsidiary, Kinergy Marketing LLC, markets ethanol from Pacific Ethanol's managed plants and from other third-party production facilities, and another subsidiary, Pacific Ag. Products, LLC, markets WDG. For more information please visit www.pacificethanol.com.

CONTACT: Company IR Contact:
         Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
         916-403-2755
         866-508-4969
         Investorrelations@pacificethanol.com

         IR Agency Contact:
         Becky Herrick
         LHA
         415-433-3777

         Media Contact:
         Paul Koehler
         Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
         916-403-2790
         paulk@pacificethanol.com

Released September 9, 2014