Pacific Ethanol is temporarily halting production at its Stockton plant, laying off more than 20 workers. The company says that unfavorable market conditions prompted its decision, according to the Sacramento Bee.  Pacific Ethanol VP Paul Koehler told the newspaper that the company is halting production at the Stockton plant and a plant in Burley, Idaho:

Each plant employs about 35 people, two-thirds of whom will be laid off, Koehler said.

"A core staff will remain and be poised to restart operations once market conditions allow," Koehler said.