Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document And Entity Information

v3.20.2
Document And Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Nov. 13, 2020
Document Information Line Items    
Entity Registrant Name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.  
Document Type 10-Q  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   68,494,982
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Central Index Key 0000778164  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2020  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity File Number 000-21467  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes