SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) APRIL 19, 2006
                                                          --------------

                              PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         DELAWARE                                                 41-2170618
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(State or other jurisdiction                                    (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)                                       Identification No.)

                                    000-21467
                          ----------------------------
                            (Commission File Number)

  5711 N. WEST AVENUE, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA                        93711
- --------------------------------------------          --------------------------
  (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (559) 435-1771


          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (SEE General Instruction A.2. below):

     |_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)

     |_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)

     |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))








ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
           APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

         (a) Not applicable.

         (b) On April 19, 2006, Ryan W. Turner resigned from all positions with
the Company and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including as Chief
Operating Officer and Secretary of the Company.

         (c) Not applicable.

         (d) Not applicable.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

                  Not applicable.

         (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

                  Not applicable.

         (c) Exhibits.

                  Not applicable.








                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  April 24, 2006                     PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.


                                          By: /S/ WILLIAM G. LANGLEY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              William G. Langley
                                              Chief Financial Officer