Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
May 09, 2018
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164  
Document Type 10-Q  
Trading Symbol PEIX  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2018  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer No  
Entity a Voluntary Filer No  
Entity's Reporting Status Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   43,810,043
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018