Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Mar. 15, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information      
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.    
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2016    
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 Accelerated Filer    
Entity Public Float     $ 208,100,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   39,811,296  
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016