General form of registration statement for all companies including face-amount certificate companies

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Nov. 13, 2012
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164  
Document Type S-1  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2012  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? No  
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? No  
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? Yes  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   144,672,406
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012