8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 18, 2020

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (916) 403-2123

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Voteof Security Holders

The 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the “Company”) was held on November 18, 2020. The following proposals were approved at the Annual Meeting by the votes indicated:

Proposal One: To elect seven directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders and/or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The nominees for election were William L. Jones, Michael D. Kandris, Terry L. Stone, John L. Prince, Douglas L. Kieta, Gilbert E. Nathan and Dianne S. Nury.

The following nominees were elected by the votes indicated to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders and/or until their successors are duly elected and qualified:

Proposal Two: To approve the 2019 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“say-on-pay”).

Proposal Three: To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan from 5,650,000 shares to 7,400,000 shares.

Proposal Four: To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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