EXHIBIT 23.1
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Sacramento, California
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements (Nos. 333-106554, 333-123538 and 333-137663) on Form S-8 and (Nos. 333-127714, 333-135270, 333-138260, 333-143617 and 333-147471) on Form S-3 of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. of our report dated March 31, 2010 relating to our audits of the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
 
/s/ HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP
 
Irvine, California
March 31, 2010