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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Loss Numerator
Net loss attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc.	$ (7,514)			$ (202)			$ (28,263)	$ (21,679)
Less: Preferred stock dividends	(319)	$ (315)	$ (312)	(319)	$ (315)	$ (312)	(946)	(946)
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (7,833)			$ (521)			$ (29,209)	$ (22,625)
Shares Denominator
Shares available to common stockholders - basic and diluted	43,299			42,475			43,171	42,358
Per-Share Amount
Per-Share amount - basic and diluted	$ (0.18)			$ (0.01)			$ (0.68)	$ (0.53)