Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.4.0.3
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
May. 09, 2016
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2016  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   39,273,248
Trading Symbol PEIX  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016