CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 321,144	$ 233,808	$ 575,687	$ 459,267
Cost of goods sold	287,568	226,843	503,566	451,456
Gross profit	33,576	6,965	72,121	7,811
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,315	3,133	7,985	7,138
Income from operations	29,261	3,832	64,136	673
Fair value adjustments and warrant inducements	485	1,437	(35,359)	745
Interest expense, net	(2,886)	(3,972)	(7,237)	(7,453)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	(2,363)	(39)	(2,363)	778
Other expense, net	(335)	(128)	(562)	(215)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	24,162	1,130	18,615	(5,472)
Provision for income taxes	7,196	0	10,466	0
Consolidated net income (loss)	16,966	1,130	8,149	(5,472)
Net (income) loss attributed to noncontrolling interest	(1,394)	(79)	(3,403)	1,069
Net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc..	15,572	1,051	4,746	(4,403)
Preferred stock dividends	(315)	(315)	(627)	(627)
Income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 15,257	$ 736	$ 4,119	$ (5,030)
Net income (loss) per share, basic	$ 0.77	$ 0.07	$ 0.23	$ (0.48)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.07	$ 0.20	$ (0.48)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic	19,903	10,853	18,053	10,462
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted	22,276	12,135	20,514	10,462