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)
                          May 10, 2012                       
 
 
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                   
                                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 2.02.
   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On May 10, 2012, Pacific Ethanol, Inc. issued a press release announcing certain results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  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 May 10, 2012
 
 
 
 
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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: May 10, 2012
 PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.  
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher W. Wright  
   
Christopher W. Wright
  
   
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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EXHIBITS FILED WITH THIS REPORT
 
 
  Number  Description
     
  99.1 Press Release dated May 10, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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