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, 333-137663 and 333-169002) 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, 2011 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, 2010.
/s/ HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP
Irvine, California
March 31, 2011