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)
January 9, 2009

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

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  
000-21467
(Commission File Number)
  
41-2170618
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 

400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060
Sacramento, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
95814
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
                         (916) 403-2123                         

                                                                                                                                                           
(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):

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

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

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

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

 
 
 
 
 
Item 8.01.
Other Events.
 
On January 9, 2009, Pacific Ethanol, Inc. issued a press release announcing the temporary suspension of production at its Madera, California ethanol production facility. A copy of the press release is furnished (not filed) as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(a)           Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
 
Not applicable.
 
(b)           Pro Forma Financial Information.
 
Not applicable.
 
(c)           Shell Company Transactions.
 
Not applicable.
 
(d)           Exhibits.
 
 
Number
Description
 
 
99.1
Press Release dated January 9, 2009
 
 
 
 

 
 
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.
 
 
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
  
       
Date: January 9, 2009
By:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER W. WRIGHT  
    Christopher W. Wright  
    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary  
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
  EXHIBITS FILED WITH THIS REPORT
 
Number
Description
 
 
99.1
Press Release dated January 9, 2009