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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001052192-06-000002.txt : 20060420
<SEC-HEADER>0001052192-06-000002.hdr.sgml : 20060420
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060420190858
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001052192-06-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060413
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060420
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060420

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000778164
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC CHEMICALS [2860]
		IRS NUMBER:				412170618
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5711 N. WEST AVENUE
		CITY:			FRESNO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93711
		BUSINESS PHONE:		559-435-1771

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5711 N. WEST AVENUE
		CITY:			FRESNO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93711

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ACCESSITY CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20030627

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DRIVERSSHIELD COM CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20001115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST PRIORITY GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CASCADE INVESTMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001052192
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21467
		FILM NUMBER:		06771029

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4258030720

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-04-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000778164</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Pacific Ethanol, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PEIX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001052192</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CASCADE INVESTMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2365 CARILLON POINT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KIRKLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98033</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10500000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">See Below</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>(1) On April 13, 2006, Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (&quot;Cascade&quot;) acquired 5,250,000 shares of the issuer's Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (&quot;Series A Preferred Stock&quot;) at a price of $16.00 per share.  Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at Cascade's option into a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of the issuer's Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) $16.00 divided by (y) the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion.  The conversion price is currently $8.00 and is subject to anti-dilution protection and other adjustments as set forth in the Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Preferred Stock (the &quot;Certificate of Designations&quot;).  Using the current conversion price, Cascade's 5,250,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into 10,500,000 shares of the issuer's Common Stock.  Cascade's right to convert the Series A Preferred Stock does 
not expire.  In addition to Cascade's right to convert, the Series A Preferred Stock shall, upon the occurrence of certain events, be automatically converted into Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               *Duly authorized under Special Power of Attorney appointing Michael Larson attorney-in-fact, dated February 3, 2006, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Cascade Investment, L.L.C.'s Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G with respect to Arch Capital Group Ltd. on March 7, 2006, SEC File No. 005-45257, and incorporated by reference herein.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William H. Gates III By: /s/ Michael Larson*, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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