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
Feb. 01, 2012
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 86,631,664  
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 Feb. 01, 2012  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011