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)
                       December 4, 2009                 
 
 
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
                 Delaware                 
  
               000-21467               
  
               41-2170618              
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  
(Commission File Number)
  
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060, Sacramento, CA
  
                              95814                                
(Address of principal executive offices)
  
(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 5.02  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 
(a)           Not applicable.
 
(b)           John T. Miller’s employment with Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the “Company”) ended on December 4, 2009.  Mr. Miller was the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. The duties of the Chief Operating Officer will be assumed by Neil M. Koehler, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Bryon T. McGregor, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Miller will continue to serve as an authorized officer of Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC and its subsidiaries in connection with their bankruptcy proceedings.
 
(c)           Not applicable.
 
(d)           Not applicable.
 
(e)           Not applicable.
 
 
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SIGNATURES

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