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 (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 21, 2011
Dec. 20, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]      
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.    
Document Type S-1    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   85,110,068  
Entity Public Float     $ 18,727,000
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Document Period End Date Dec. 21, 2011    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011