CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 215,860	$ 271,649	$ 619,026	$ 659,390
Cost of goods sold	218,300	263,461	633,843	647,355
Gross profit (loss)	(2,440)	8,188	(14,817)	12,035
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,898	3,495	9,400	11,742
Income (loss) from operations	(5,338)	4,693	(24,217)	293
Fair value adjustments on convertible debt and warrants	(900)	4,113	352	6,968
Interest expense, net	(3,378)	(4,071)	(9,380)	(11,337)
Other expense, net	(105)	(166)	(499)	(709)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(9,721)	4,569	(33,744)	(4,785)
Provision for income taxes
Consolidated net income (loss)	(9,721)	4,569	(33,744)	(4,785)
Net (income) loss attributed to noncontrolling interest in variable interest entity	3,750	(217)	20,191	9,905
Net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc.	(5,971)	4,352	(13,553)	5,120
Preferred stock dividends	(319)	(319)	(949)	(946)
Income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (6,290)	$ 4,033	$ (14,502)	$ 4,174
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted	$ (0.05)	$ 0.12	$ (0.15)	$ 0.2
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic	115,677	33,201	96,203	21,230
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted	115,677	33,201	96,203	21,328